BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA
West Are’are Constituency has received a $1.5 million boost for seaweed farming, courtesy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC)-funded Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP), which aims to enhance the livelihood of farmers in the area.
The support, provided on December 23, 2025, includes essential project goods and materials, which will be distributed by the constituency office directly to seaweed farmers.
Among the goods are 15 boats, 15 OMBs, 600 rolls of 6mm seaweed ropes, 600 rolls of 2mm ropes, and other key materials to boost farming productivity.
The handover ceremony was held at the constituency office, where West Are’are MP, John Maneniaru, received the donation from PRC’s Chinese Embassy representative, Counsellor Li Qinghua.
Maneniaru expressed gratitude for the support, calling it a major boost for seaweed farming in the constituency.
“This assistance will enable our communities to expand seaweed farming activities, which is vital for their social and economic well-being.
“This project also exemplifies the strong relationship between our two nations,” Maneniaru said.
Maneniaru also praised the decision to direct the entire $1.5 million investment into seaweed farming, emphasizing that it would directly benefit the people and drive sustainable growth.
“We are hopeful for further collaboration with the PRC, particularly on seaweed farming expansion, including processing and refining, to secure better prices for our farmers,” he added.
Counsellor Li Qinghua highlighted that this handover represents a new phase of practical cooperation under RSDP, that aims to improve social and economic development in the Solomon Islands.
“The PRC is committed to rural development and capacity-building, focusing on transferring knowledge to empower Solomon Islands communities.
“We are proud to support this project as it aligns with China’s poverty alleviation experience and contributes to the prosperity of the Solomon Islands,” Qinghua said.
John Misite’e, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), also commended the PRC for its support, emphasizing the importance of this investment in rural communities.
“This partnership helps improve livelihoods and supports rural development, aligning with the Solomon Islands’ National Development Strategy,” Misite’e said.
The RSDP, launched in 2023, is a proposal-based initiative designed to improve social and economic infrastructure, promote income-generating activities, and enhance food security and climate resilience. It is part of China’s broader Global Development Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Photo: Supplied
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