BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock (MAL) Dr Samson Viulu has thanked the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) SAFE project for their timely support towards this year’s MAL Annual Planning Conference.

Speaking at the opening of the five-day conference held at the Honiara Hotel on Monday this week, Mr Viulu appreciated the UNDP Solomon Islands Office for their financial support which enabled the conference to happen.

The five-day conference, from Monday to Friday this week focused on reviewing key policies, strategic planning, institutional effectiveness and strengthening implementation mechanisms across all departments of the Ministry.

“According to my memory, this is the first since COVID-19 and under the leadership of our current Honourable Minister, we would like to host this planning conference on an annual basis,” said Viulu.

“To UNDP and UNDP SAFE project, I want to assure you that your support towards the hosting of this conference is timely and will certainly boost not only the agriculture sector but all of Solomon Islands as 80% of our population dwells in the rural areas where subsistence agriculture is the current norm. They are the bedrock of economic resilience and food security of this nation,” said Viulu.

He also acknowledged the leadership of Minister Frank Wasi as a competent political leader leading the ministry for the first time in many years.

“We all believe that under your leadership, we will continue to strengthen existing collaborations and secure new ones to further develop our agriculture sector,” PS Viulu assured Minister Wasi.

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