Solomon Islands
Date: 9 September 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: Importance of family farming and the role of KGA
Program description: This episode is about the importance of family farming for financial sustainability and the role of family farming organizations. The interviewer was an officer of KGA, the Kastom Gaden Association. She highlights the work KGA is doing for family farming. KGA works with Solomon Island communities to improve their food security by encouraging self-reliance and sustainable, organic food production for families and local markets. They support farmer-to-farmer extension and networks, as well as family nutrition. The radio broadcast has brought about change and raised awareness among farmers.
Date: 21 September 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: Sol-Agro specializes in the trading of Ngali Nuts
Program description: This program discusses soil fertility. Sol-Agro specializes in the trading of ngali nuts, a very tasty indigenous nut from the rainforests of the Solomon Islands. The ngali nut, scientifically known as Canarium indicum, is also referred to as Galip nut (PNG) or Nangai nut (Vanuatu) in Melanesia, Southwest Pacific. SolAgro purchases processed Ngali nuts from family farmers, especially those in remote communities and islands of the Solomon Islands, helping them generate income to support their families. This income is especially important for covering their children's school fees and other domestic family needs. The Sol Agro representative (interviewer) discussed "Food Safety and Handling for Sol Agro Ngali Nut Suppliers."
Date: 30 September 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: The Significance of Soil Care
Program description: This program is about the pivotal role of soil biology and biodiversity in the maintenance and regeneration of soil fertility. It highlights the pressing issue of low soil fertility and the scarcity of resources in the Solomon Islands. Encouraging the proliferation of soil organisms and biodiversity emerges as a strategic approach to bolster or restore soil fertility and promote plant health in rural areas where farmers lack access to, or cannot afford, inputs like fertilizers. This program strongly advocates for the promotion of soil organisms within agro-ecosystems as an essential nature-based and ecosystem-based solution to tackle soil fertility challenges.
Date: 4 October 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: Importance of Organic Farming
Program description: This radio program aims to share vital information with the remote areas of the Solomon Islands. We discussed the importance of organic farming, often overlooked in our country. Synthetic materials and chemicals harm the environment by disrupting native organisms essential for healthy gardens and farms. Continuous chemical use displaces native species, disrupting the ecological balance and causing social instability. To address, this program encourages rural communities to adopt organic practices for a healthier life.
Date: 14 October 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: Organic Farming: Challenges and success stories
Program description: This radio program is about the experience of Agnes, who was interviewed and shares her challenges and success stories. Ms. Agnes is a lead farmer running a semi-commercial family farm in East Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. She aims to encourage women in the male-dominated societies of the Solomon Islands to build their self-esteem and be creative in their farming activities. Her goal is to empower women, especially young women, in agricultural production for family food security and income generation. This program seeks to inspire women to increase their participation in farming as a business. Furthermore, it aims to enhance women's access to productive resources, improve their involvement in decision-making processes, and promote their leadership in agriculture.
Date: 20 October 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: Organic Farming: Participation of women and youth
Program description: This episode features Gabby, a farmer from Pokilo Village, Savo Island, who shares his engagement with KGA (Kastom Gaden Association) and its impact on farmers in the Central Province. Gabby, a member of a local farm association, discusses his experience with organic agriculture. His vision is to promote Kastom Gaden's initiatives among fellow farmers. Throughout the program, Gabby highlights how farmers and community members have begun to recognize the opportunities that the association offers, strengthening their ability to achieve sustainable livelihoods. Gabby emphasizes the active participation of women and youth, encouraging their involvement in similar programs across the country. In conclusion, Gabby urges fellow farmers to maintain their production by adopting practices such as seed saving for sustainable farming.
Date: 28 October 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: Organic Farming: Promoting healthy food distribution
Program description: This episode highlights the experience of Mr. James Hagi, the lead farmer from a farmer's group in West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province. James initially engaged in farming independently until he identified a gap that he was eager to address – supporting individual farmers in accessing available resources to promote healthy food distribution and improve livelihoods in their community. The group has consistently achieved its program goals in marketing. However, in response to the growing demand for their local products, the group has developed a plan to distribute crops among farmers to meet customer demands. James also mentioned the group's intention to expand their efforts to farmers in surrounding communities. They plan to provide training and share knowledge to help others engage in similar activities, contributing to the growth of their farmer's network.
Date: 2 November 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: Organic Farming: Challenges and opportunities
Program description: Jennifer Kelly, a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) owner of Jedom Organic Fruits in Guadalcanal Province, shared her challenges and opportunities in organic agriculture. Jennifer, an enthusiastic mother, takes on the roles of caring for her home, managing her business, and conducting community trainings. Recognizing the need to preserve local products, she decided to increase their shelf life through processing. To achieve this goal, Jennifer ventured into processing and preserving local products. She not only took on the responsibility of caring for her home and managing her business but also actively engaged in delivering trainings for other NGO project sites that promote processing and preserving local foods in various provinces. Now, as a specialist in local food processing, she extends her expertise by providing training to local farm producers. Her efforts aim to improve the standards for processing food, enhance food quality, and increase food security in rural settings.
Date: 11 November 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: Organic Farming: Roles and importance of micro-organisms
Program description: In this episode, Dr. Shane Tutua, a Soil Scientist, shares advice for local farmers in the country. Dr. Shane is featured on a radio program where he imparts valuable insights to Solomon Islander farmers. He begins by reflecting on his previous program, emphasizing the roles and importance of micro-organisms present in the soil. The soil's status relies entirely on nutrient availability to recharge its nutrient bank, which in turn feeds plants, trees, and other living organisms dependent on soil for survival. Dr. Shane advises rural farmers on best practices to enhance the diversity of organisms in the soil, ultimately improving soil fertility. These practices include utilizing compost and animal manure, implementing cover cropping or green cropping, retaining residues or returning organic matter to enrich the soil, avoiding burning activities, embracing mulching, practicing minimum tillage, adopting crop rotation, intercropping, integrating animals into farms or gardens, and growing trees around farms or gardens in an agroforest tree system.
Date: 9 December 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: Organic Farming: Highlighting a significant challenge
Program description: Keliv, a farmer from Ngongoa Village, Tingua Station, Rennell Island, is one of the passionate individuals on the island who developed an interest in farming after receiving training. He shared his experience, highlighting a significant challenge on the island— the limited availability of large landmass. Rennell Island primarily consists of pocket soils surrounded by vast limestone rocks. Applying the knowledge gained from the training, Keliv and others designed weather-resistant staking systems in their farms. Recognizing another challenge related to water that could potentially harm their crops, Keliv took initiative. He called upon his family members to form an association, naming it Atoll’s Organic Farm. This not only demonstrates Keliv's appreciation for KGA's initiatives but also reflects his commitment to expanding the organic farming concept to his community through his model farm. Keliv also acknowledged the practices of other farmers on the island, emphasizing his gratitude for the organic farming methods he learned through the training.
Date: 10 December 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: Organic Farming: farming for a healthy living
Program description: Cathy, a farmer from Are’are, Malaita Province, was raised in a farming family with a background in traditional and sustainable organic farming in rural settings. For over 20 years, she has been reselling farm products at the Main market to stay connected to farming. Recognizing a gap in organic farming practices on the island, she shared her experience. In her home village, they practice traditional organic farming, which she believes is the healthiest way to secure daily food consumption. Cathy's organic knowledge allows her to easily identify organic and inorganic products. She encourages other women in the country to recognize the value of women engaging in farming for a healthy living.
Date: 12 December 2023
Radio: SIBC (SI Broadcasting Corporation)
Language of program: Solomon Islands "Pidgin"
Title of program: Organic Farming: Value of traditional knowledge
Program description: Chaophin Seth, a young farmer from South Guadalcanal, serves as a role model for the youth in the country. Growing up in a family with a farming history, he started his own farm at a young age. In his village, they practice traditional shifting and relocating of farms within allocated plots to avoid distant or environmental destruction. Despite weather challenges, Chaophin established his farm on a sloped area with proper drainage systems. To minimize pests and destructive events, he integrates his farm products and employs the handpicking method on his cabbage plots. Chaophin emphasizes the value of traditional knowledge, urging other youths to learn from elders for the benefit of society.