The Solomon Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) Project continues to strengthen the capacity of local farmers and agriculture extension officers through targeted training in the provinces.
From 26 to 28 August 2026, a SIART team was in Auki, Malaita Province, to conduct a three-day training workshop on Financial Literacy and Feed Formulation for SIART Young Professionals (YPs) working as junior agriculture extension officers and the Provincial Project Team (PPT) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).
The training equipped the YPs and PPT members with practical skills and knowledge that they can now pass on to local farmers who are members of Agribusiness Producer Organizations (ABPOs) in Malaita Province.
Malaita has 45 signed ABPOs supported by the SIART Project.
SIART Agribusiness Officer for Malaita Province, Betty Arumae, said the Financial Literacy Training would equip ABPOs with essential business management skills.
“This will provide practical financial literacy and management training to help local farmers and rural groups run profitable agribusinesses,” Aumae said.
The financial literacy sessions covered key areas including expenses and profits, financial and physical record-keeping, understanding how an ABPO operates and generates income through sales, asset management, budgeting, cash-flow management, savings and investment.
The training also covered business strategy and governance, as well as regulatory compliance.
Financial literacy training is a key component of SIART’s efforts to empower rural farmers and agribusinesses with the skills needed to operate sustainable and profitable businesses.
Implemented by MAL in partnership with the World Bank, SIART integrates financial management and business development support to help transition local producers from subsistence farming towards sustainable commercial operations.
Meanwhile, the Feed Formulation Training was based on a manual developed by the SIART Project to provide small-scale livestock farmers with practical guidance on formulating balanced and nutritious feed for different types of livestock.
SIART Capacity Development Officer John Tatalo said strengthening the capacity of local resource persons and young professionals was essential to building a more resilient agriculture sector.
“By empowering local resource persons and young professionals, we are building the capacity of value-chain actors for a stronger, more resilient agriculture sector in our provinces,” Tatalo explained.
He said the training also underscored the importance of continued technical and financial support for ABPOs to effectively implement improved agricultural practices.
“These training represent another step forward in SIART’s mission to transform Solomon Islands agriculture through capacity building, market linkages and sustainable practices, strengthening key agricultural sectors for economic growth and community resilience,” Tatalo said.
