Local pig farmers in West Kwaio, Malaita Province, are transforming traditional farming into a sustainable agribusiness, opening new economic pathways for their rural communities.
The Suisae Piggery Association is among 16 agribusiness producer groups in Malaita Province supported by the Solomon Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) Project.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock implements SIART, which is funded by the World Bank
For the 20 household farmers in the Suisae association, this is their first experience operating a collective, funded piggery.
Supported by the SIART Project, they have completed three critical facilities: a breeding shelter, a fattening shelter, and a storage shed.
Their breeding shelter currently houses four pregnant sows and one boar.
Once the sows give birth, the piglets will move to the fattening shelter, which can hold up to 100 animals.
“We estimate to earn around $100,000 when our piglets are ready for market,” said Paul Misika, a member of the association.
Misika noted the 100-pig capacity represents the group’s market goal, though realized earnings depend on feed management and daily care.
The association’s 20 households comprise 60 individual farmers who work together to manage the project and ease rural financial challenges.
Misika emphasized the venture is a major milestone, as the community has never received this type of support before.
He praised the World Bank and the SIART Project for providing valuable assistance to rural communities.
To date, the SIART Project has invested $8.7 million in 20 piggery associations across three provinces: Malaita, Guadalcanal, and Makira/Ulawa.
This funding improves the livelihoods of 532 households and benefits roughly 3,000 people.
These associations help family networks improve market access, secure funding, and boost production.
SIART has also distributed weaner pigs and feed, supported the construction of breeding facilities, and provided targeted training.
The project ensures all groups meet environmental safeguards and animal welfare standards, including proper housing and waste management.
To fund operations and purchases, the project has disbursed $902,000 to the 20 piggery groups.
