THE Australian Government initiative, Strongim Bisnis, through a partnership with C-Corp Limited has been trialling a new drying technology in Solomon Islands. This project also aimed to improve the access to market for cocoa wet bean sellers. This support included efforts to improve the quality and quantity of cocoa produced by farmers, and increase farmers’ supply to the export market. C-Corp is a Solomon Islands cocoa export company that aggregates cocoa for sale to overseas markets and sells cocoa beans to its subsidiary, Solomons Gold. Solomons Gold is a company that makes award-winning, boutique 'bean-to-bar' chocolate using 100 percent Solomon Islands cocoa. Solomons Gold chocolate is sold internationally in countries such as New Zealand and Australia. Australian High Commission, First Secretary Economics, Cailin Lucas, said “The Australian Government is partnering with the Solomon Islands Government to support farmers to increase resilience against the current economi...

THE people of Malaita Outer Islands are continuing to experience food shortages. Salt water intrusion and storm surges are affecting their garden patches, making it difficult for them to rely on subsistence agriculture.  Because of this, the government through the National Disaster Council (NDC) office is sending relief supplies to Malaita Outer Islands (MOI). A statement from NDC said 50 tonnes of rice have been loaded into a chartered carrier vessel and set to depart Honiara port Wednesday night. “A total of 2727 bags of rice should be delivered on the islands in the next two days. “The relief supply route will start at Luaniua to Pelau and cross to Sikaiana islands,” the statement said. The statement adds that National Disaster Operations Committee (N-DOC) sector field officers are also ready for deployment to the islands on this trip. “Officers of the Livelihood, Education, Health, Safety and Security (police) sectors. Other supporting agencies include Immigrations, Customs and...