Organic farming centre opens in Malaita to become the first in Solomon Islands

A centre to promote organic farming in the country has been opened in Auki by the Asia Pacific Sustainable Development (APSD) on Saturday last week.

The Solomon Organic Centre which is located in the heart of Auki is the first of its kind in Solomon Islands to promote the newly introduced mode of farming using organic materials.

APSD is a non government organisation from Japan, which is promoting farming in the Solomon Islands. The opening of the centre is an extension of a Permaculture centre at Fiu village in Central Kwara’ae, which is about 15 minutes drive from Auki Town in Malaita.

According to the coordinator Shogo Sato the aim of the centre is to train youths and village leaders about organic idea and techniques concerning organic farming for contributing the sustainable rural development. The opening was attended by representatives of Japan, and Cosmo Oil company which funded the program as part of its support to sustainable development program around the world.

Malaita provincial Premier Reben Moli said the opening of the Organic represents a small step in the right direction. It is understood that the Centre’s function amongst others is to link students, graduates, organic farmers and communities who are gradually changing from the subsistence mode of production to a more permanent and intensive way of farming to information, technical advice, organic inputs such as tools, fertilizers and chemicals, market outlets and commodity prices, including link to other service providers.

Source: Solomon Star