MALD clarifies Solomon Islands government support to SAPE Farm, stating total funding is SBD 7.4 million, not SBD 20 million
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) has clarified recent media reports and public speculation claiming that the Government has provided SBD 20 million in support to SAPE Farm, stating that the figure is incorrect and misleading.
According to the ministry, the total value of support provided by the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), through MALD and related interventions, is approximately SBD 7.4 million since the partnership began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The partnership was established as part of the government’s emergency response to strengthen food security, particularly for residents of Honiara, amid concerns over potential disruptions to imported food supplies.
SAPE Farm was selected due to its existing capacity, available land, and demonstrated commitment to scaling up production and value-adding in root crops such as cassava and sweet potato.
The SBD 7.4 million in government support comprises:
• Direct financial assistance to SAPE Farm totaling approximately SBD 5.11 million; and
• Indirect support valued at approximately SBD 2.28 million, including procurement of machinery, infrastructure development such as road access, and payments to suppliers.
The ministry emphasized that the support was not a lump-sum payment but a multi-year investment spread across several activities, including working capital, farm equipment, construction of processing facilities, and support for supply chain development.
In addition to government support, SAPE Farm has made a substantial private investment of approximately SBD 16.5 million, representing the majority share of total project funding. Development partners have also contributed around SBD 1.2 million.
This brings the total investment in SAPE Farm to approximately SBD 25.1 million, with the government contributing about 29 percent of the overall funding.
The ministry stated that claims suggesting a government contribution of SBD 20 million are inaccurate and do not reflect verified financial records.
SAPE Farm is described as a key example of a public-private partnership in agriculture, contributing to food security, local production, and value-added processing. The initiative supported communities during the pandemic by supplying food to households, quarantine centres, and health facilities.
MALD said it remains committed to transparency and accountability in all its programs and encourages responsible reporting based on verified information.
For further clarification, the ministry welcomes inquiries through its official channels.
SOURCE : MALD Press Release
