BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), Franklyn Wasi, applauds the launch of the Agriculture Investment for Markets and Nutrition (AIM-N) Project.
On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, he told the paper that he had been voicing the importance of this project since last year up until it’s signing on Monday this week.
“I have been talking about the project on the floor of Parliament since last year, and finally it has just been signed,” said Wasi.
The signing comes after Solomon Islands Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) launched US$20 million AIM-N Project to Boost Food Security, Nutrition and Rural Income.
According to a press statement from MAL, the project aims to improve food security, enhance nutrition, and build resilience to climate change, directly benefiting more than 18,000 people over six years.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Finance and Treasury, (MoFT) Harry Kuma, and IFAD Country Director and Representative for Pacific Island Countries, Chandra Samekto.
The statement said that AIM-N project will tackle issues such as stunting and overweight by revitalising local food systems and creating sustainable economic opportunities linked to nutritious food production.
MAL said that the total project costs US$19.82 million, with a US$6.1 million grant from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) to be administered by IFAD, and a US$9.3 million loan from IFAD.
The agriculture ministry also noted that a financial institution from the private sector will contribute US$820,000, while the government and community will provide domestic co-financing of US$1.2 million.
As noted, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will manage another US$1.4 million from GAFSP.
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) will implement the project in Choiseul, Isabel and Western provinces.
The project is expected to benefit 18,330 people in 65 rural communities where subsistence farming is the main source of livelihood.
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