Officials from MALD met with representatives from leading Japanese research institutions, including The University of Tokyo, Tokai University, and National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, to formally confirm project implementation arrangements and discuss collaborative research activities.
The project will be jointly implemented by MALD and Solomon Islands National University alongside the Japanese partner institutions.
The Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) for the project was signed between MALD and the University of Tokyo on 2 March 2026 in Honiara, formalizing the partnership and research collaboration arrangements between the institutions.
Implementation of the project officially commenced on 17 May 2026, coinciding with the arrival of the visiting Japanese researchers in Honiara.
Speaking during the meeting, MALD officials acknowledged the importance of the partnership in supporting the Government’s efforts to strengthen food security and improve agricultural productivity in the Solomon Islands.
Sweet potato remains one of the country’s most important staple crops, particularly for rural households. Through the project, researchers will focus on strengthening sweet potato production systems through improved seedling management, pest control, cultivation practices, genetic resource research, and the development of certified virus-free seedlings.
The Japanese delegation also visited several key agricultural research and production sites, including the Tenaru Field Experiment Station, MAL Henderson Crop Health Research laboratories, KG Farm, and Kastom Garden, where discussions were held on field research activities and future collaboration opportunities.
The Project Coordinator and an in-country based researcher are expected to arrive in June/July 2026 and will be based in Honiara to support ongoing implementation and coordination activities.
Procurement of goods and services under the project will now commence. Funding support under the project includes the procurement of farm machinery and equipment such as tractors, tillage implements and associated equipment, the establishment of a tissue culture laboratory and facility, and the construction of net houses for planting materials research and production.
As part of the partnership, the first batch of four MALD research staff will undertake a one-week training program in Japan from 8–15 July 2026 in areas relevant to the project component outputs. Additional training programs and capacity-building activities will also be conducted in both Japan and the Solomon Islands throughout the life of the project.
MALD stated that the project is expected to contribute significantly to strengthening national food security, enhancing research capacity, and supporting long-term agricultural development in the country.
Ends//
-MALD Press Release
