28 Nov 2008

Solomons harvests rice under new scheme

4:23 pm on 28 November 2008

Solomon Islands has harvested its first rice crop after a development programme was launched when the price of the staple rose dramatically.

Those price rises are continuing with costs incurred this year of about 26 million US dollars, an increase of four million from last year.

Speaking at the harvest ceremony at St Joseph's Tenaru School farm, the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Selwyn Riumana, says the school's project is funded under the National Rice Programme to ensure food security at all levels.

The government had provided tens of thousands of dollars for farm equipment to enable the project get off the ground.

The Minister has promised more technical and financial support to allow the school to further develop its rice farming activities.