by Ronald Toito’ona

The Malaita Youth Council President, Phillip Subu, is currently in Beijing, China, attending a major agricultural training—a milestone projected to help boost farming initiatives and self-reliance for Malaita’s growing youth population.

According to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Solomon Islands, Subu is representing Solomon Islands at an agricultural training program hosted by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences (CAAMS) in Beijing.

“This bilateral initiative, supported by the Government of China in collaboration with Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), is a powerful step toward strengthening youth engagement in agriculture and enhancing future cooperation in sustainable development,” the statement said.

Speaking to In-depth Solomons from Beijing, Subu said the training is in line with the Malaita Provincial Youth Council’s aspirations to engage its youths in agriculture and supports its vision to become self-reliant.

“The Malaita Provincial Youth Council is already engaging with youths in agriculture,” he explained.

“This training will help us expand those efforts and strengthen the work we’re already doing.”

Subu also noted that under his current leadership, the Council is committed to collaborating with any development partners that aligns with its strategic focus.

“Malaita Provincial Youth Council is always open and willing to work with any development partner or donor that supports our strategic focus areas,” he said.

The young leader emphasized that every development partner is critical for the betterment of the youth population of Solomon Islands, especially in Malaita.

“For Malaita, being the province with the largest youth population, it is important to utilize any opportunity that is intentional for the benefit of our youths,” Subu stated.

Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to both the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) for the opportunity to train at the prestigious CAAMS.

CAAMS is a leading institution in China that focuses on research, development, and innovation of modern agricultural machinery and technology solutions for sustainable farming.