The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Strengthening Competitiveness Agriculture and Livelihoods (SCALE) has approved and award grants to six more local organisations and small-scale farmer groups in Malaita.
SCALE-Natural Resource Management, a component under the wider SCALE program, initiated the Forest and Development Fund (FDF) as one of its activities under which, grants are provided to Solomon Islands organizations for activities that support USAID SCALE’s objectives of protecting forest, enhancing livelihoods, and building capacity of local organizations.
The six organisations that signed grant contracts today in Auki include Fusai Tribal Land Conservation Association, Suaga Farmers Association, Ado Rural Farmers Association Enterprises Community Company Limited, Raroasi Customary Land Association Trustboard, Mareho War Rural Fishers Association and Ado Rural Farmers Association.
A statement from SCALE office in Malaita said the signing brings the total number of grants awarded to tribal and community organisations in Malaita so far to 20 grantees.
United States Charge’d affairs to the Solomon Islands Russell Comeau who launched the initial grants awarded in December last year, witnessed the signing ceremony today along with Malaita Provincial Government’s Deputy Premier Joe Heroau.
Comeau said the USAID supported SCALE program is a private sector driven initiative.
“This program is not just about empowering rural farmers but unleashing the power of the private sector,” Comeau said.
He said the United States is proud to work with the Government of Solomon Islands, the Malaita Provincial Government, the traditional and church leaders, and the businesses and community initiatives to foster a better understanding of how a robust private sector and vibrant community initiatives can contribute to sustainable growth and benefit all Solomon Islanders.
In thanking USAID for the support, Malaita Deputy Premier Joe Heroau said MPG acknowledged impacts of the SCALE program in the province and pledged continuous support of the provincial government towards the SCALE program.
“It’s not about any donor, it’s about us, how we collaborate to help ourselves from supports we receive,” Heroau said.
USAID’s SCALE is a comprehensive five-year project to advance economic competitiveness and inclusiveness with specific emphasis on the development of the agribusiness sector and improved management of the forestry sector.
In line with the Solomon Islands’ National Development Strategy 2016-2035, USAID SCALE initiative targets three sub-objectives:
(a) improve the enabling environment for increased trade and investment;
(b) promote the expansion and further development of the agribusiness sector; and
(c) improve natural resources governance. USAID will integrate technical assistance and investment financing for small-scale infrastructure to support the growth of the agribusiness sector.
USAID SCALE initiative is a national five-year, $25 million (SBD $205.5m) investment in economic growth and trade in the Solomon Islands with an initial focus on Malaita Province.