BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Poitete Station Forestry officer, George Bena is super excited to be part of this year’s National Trade Fair (NTF), currently underway in Honiara.
Held at the FOPA SINU Panatina campus in East Honiara, the NTF aims to promote innovation, showcase local products and connect Solomon Islanders across all sectors of commerce, culture and creativity.
As Forestry Officer, Mr Bena plays a separate role, including tree climbing, tree breeding, and crafting, since working under the ministry for 31 years.
Before this year’s National Trade Fair, Mr Bena who hails from Guadalcanal Province, based in Poitete, with the help of his colleagues, assembled a total of 16 different tree seedlings and transported them for the ongoing NTF in Honiara.
“All the seedlings we introduced here were taken from other places; however, we breed them. So, these are some of the best tree seedlings we breed. So, these are some of the best trees for timber, export, furniture, etc,” said Mr Bena.
The tree species arrived via MV Pelican Express on Sunday and cost around SBD$3000 to be transported to Honiara.
“One of the new species here is dulian, which has a high demand in the market. This is the first time for it to been introduced at a Trade Show. It costs about 100 dollars per fruit. Most of these species were put on trial before being transported to be displayed here at the National Trade Fair show,” he said.
He said that people can make orders from the ministry if they are interested in planting these species.
“These species have different uses as well. Most are local species. The idea is also to reintroduce the local species and encourage people to plant them, since logging has damaged these species, we have to replant them. It can be used for furniture, chairs. Not only for export. It is useful for our use as well.
“We must plant many trees as well to counter the impact of climate change. We also introduce fruit trees. The trade is important to showcase these forestry products. The government should organise such an event annually to promote and encourage people about our forestry resources,” said Bena.
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