THE recently launched and first-ever National Agriculture Survey (NAS) 2017 report is timely says the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Undersecretary Technical (Acting) Michael Ho’ota.
Mr. Ho’ota was speaking on behalf of the MAL Permanent Secretary at the official launch of the NAS 2017 report at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara on Thursday 14 November.
He said the launching comes at the right time as the ministry of Agriculture (MAL) is currently developing the agriculture sector strategy 2020-2030.
“The ministry (MAL) has been developing plans and strategies over the years based on estimates. This report and collected data, therefore, provide a basis from which evidence-based plans and projects can be developed.
“The agriculture survey 2017 was the first national agriculture census or survey being carried out in the country since the 70’s, therefore, I would like to thank the Ministry of Finance & Treasury (MoFT) through the National Statistics Office (NSO) for this fine and worthy accomplishment,” Mr. Ho’ota added.
The report highlighted the importance, the potentials, challenges, and opportunities that can be exploited to move the agriculture sector forward.
At the same time, Mr. Ho’ota thanked the National Statistics Office (NSO) team headed by the Government Statistician and Census Commissioner, Douglas Kimi and the Technical Advisor Dr. Willie Lahari and all the enumerators (field officers) for their efforts in ensuring the project implemented successfully.
He also used the opportunity and acknowledged the Government (SIG), United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Pacific Community (SPC), and the World Bank, the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for the technical and funding support towards the successful implementation of the NAS 2017 project.
Meanwhile, Government Statistician and Census Commissioner, Douglas Kimi for the first time, the government have obtained key benchmark data and information across all provinces on agriculture and related sub-sector activities such as Fisheries, aquaculture, and forestry.
“This information will now be used to support evidence-based policies and plans, not only in agriculture but also in other sectors including our national development strategy in improving the delivery of public goods and services to our people.”
Mr. Kimi then thanked MAL for their joint leadership from the start to the end of the NAS 2017 project.
He encourages the government through the Ministry of Agriculture (MAL), organizations, stakeholders, and individuals to utilize the information and data in the report to improve the agriculture sector in the country.
The National Agriculture Survey Project 2017 (NASP) was implemented by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).
The NASP 2017 was the country’s first-ever national agriculture survey and thus covers all selected household agricultural holdings across the country.
The survey is intended to assist the government through its responsible ministry, the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock (MAL) with planning to improve agriculture production in the country based on the data collected.
The survey provides benchmark data on land use, type of agriculture and related activities, the structure of agricultural holdings and their main characteristics to support the strategic plans and programs of the Solomon Islands on agriculture production and investment as well as to support development of some Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators in the agriculture sector.
The project was supported by the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury through its National Statistics Office with the Technical support from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
The public is encouraged to get a copy of the report from the National Statistics Office.