Malaita piggery farmers complete agricultural training

The Solomon Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) Project has completed a two-day training series for piggery Agribusiness Produce Organizations (ABPOs) in the southern region of Malaita Province. The initiative, funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), targeted five local farmer groups: the Waiasi Piggery Farmers Association, Mamanaha Indigenous Piggery Farmers Association, Apatarau Tribe, Kauhata Piggery Project, and the Ikoru Raku Farmers Association.

The training focused on enhancing agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods through instruction on pig husbandry, animal health, quality standards, marketing, and farm business management. Specific modules included biosecurity measures, disease identification, proper housing construction, and the use of local ingredients for feeding. Farmers also received guidance on maintaining essential business records, such as mating, farrowing dates, and medication logs.

In Malaita Province, the SIART project is currently supporting 16 piggery ABPOs as part of a $6.9 million investment aimed at boosting local capacity and technical assistance.