Makira-Ulawa Premier, Julian Maka’a has said bananas are a traditional food crop that must not be ignored in the Government’s efforts to develop agriculture.
Speaking in the provincial capital Kirakira, Premier Makaa said the Agriculture Sector which is normally referred to as the backbone of the national economy is also that of his province, therefore Government must not ignore “our Makira Ulawa bananas as it continues to improve and increase production of our traditional food crops”.
Premier Maka’a commented that his Provincial Government expects the national government would ensure food self-sufficiency as it addresses food security for the rural people while at the same time, also encouraging and promotes value adding through downstream processing.
The Premier added, work to support the famous cocoa quality improvement program for all small holders to meet export standards is continuing with funds collectively provided by both the National, and the Provincial Governments.
Premier Maka’a has said his Government for Unity, Reform and Advancement is vigorously pursuing incorporating into its Policy Translation the alignment to have access to natural resources with the National Level Concept of a National Agricultural 10-year Plan.
Source: Island Sun newspaper.
Comment.
In August 2019 I had similar views as Premier Maka’a about natural resources, downstreaming processing and particularly about producing banana chips as a value export commodity.
Here is the piece I posted at the time, quote.
Solomon Islands: More needs to be done to identify commodity export markets, gain private investment and evaluate down streaming possibilities.
The Solomon Islands Government is seeking new ways of ensuring long term economic stability in the country and keen to further downstream processing.
With a major port facility in Honiara, an international airport and a new airport at Munda allowing for international air connections to Brisbane, the time is opportune for the SIG to place much importance on securing private sector investment and development in accordance with the aim of achieving more self-reliance, economic independence and sustainability.
Foreign investment participation in the development of downstream processing ideas and plans should be given more focus, given the facility support of shipping and air services.
I recently suggested the idea of exporting banana chips and, in the past, have suggested growing and canning pineapples, marketing honey, cultivated fresh, leafy vegetables by hydroponics and marketing to regional markets, via the nearest air destinations.
All such suggestions would provide benefits to communities as part of down streaming planning. Similarly, manufactured wood products, handicrafts and fish canning could give income returns if given proper market evaluation and investment.
Actually, in terms of fishing processing, the Hon. Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, said in 2007 his government was aggressively pursuing downstream professing of its fish catch.
At the time Mr. Sogavare said the country earned 7 million U.S. dollars annually from its fishing industry but could earn 400 million dollars once it ventured into downstream processing.
He said the government would encourage small holder or tribal groups to venture into commercial fishing and sell their catch to a local canning factory until more factories could be established.
Mr. Sogavare said finance to assist small holders would be made possible through its guarantee scheme to be facilitated by the commercial banks.
He said to start with, the government would take delivery of 50 pump boats from the Philippines with a view to increase it to 300.
I doubt the proposals then put forward by the Prime Minister materialized, for one reason or another, but the idea of fish processing remains valid, I believe.
The Solomon Islands government has discussed changes to the logging industry, with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare looking to halt all round log exports by 2023 and a shift from round log exports to downstream processing is on the cards, but it seems progress is still slow to get down streaming developments and returns for communities.
Once ideas, such as the one I suggested for banana chips is mooted, the Commodity Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) should step-up to make the pre-requisite evaluation and determine the potential for export in terms of its regulatory function.
End of quote.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
