Cocoa industry needs collaborative partnerships

Sustainable development of the cocoa industry in Solomon Islands greatly depends on partnerships by all stakeholders.
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Selwyn Riumana , told the National Cocoa Steering Committee (NCSC) members and observers  when he opened the second meeting of NCSC  at the Quality Inn last month.
In his keynote address, Minister Riumana acknowledged that the AusAID funded Cocoa Livelihood Improvement Project (CLIP) has positively impacted on the cocoa industry since the project started late 2009.
However, he wondered why many previous investments into the industry by the government, donors and even the private sector had not improved cocoa production from its annual 4,500 tonnes for many years.
He hoped that the Integrated Pest & Disease Management (IPDM) approach currently promoted by CLIP will be part of the answer.
The Minister thanked AusAID for supporting one of the key NCRA policies in the agriculture sector and urged integration of the program with the activities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, so that the activities will continue when CLIP ends.
AusAID Representative, Peter O’Connor, who is also a member of the NCSC, expressed the satisfaction of AusAID with the progress and impact CLIP has so far achieved and the collaboration that MAL Extension service had provided in implementing CLIP.
He assured at the meeting that AusAID wil continue to support the cocoa industry sector at least in the next 12-18 months.
However, the form of that support will greatly depend on a review that will be conducted in March on the Agriculture Livelihood Program which also includes CLIP.
Mr O’Connor said that in the longer term, growth and success in the cocoa industry can only come from a vibrant private sector.
More than 30 participants (16 members and about the same number of observers) deliberated on matters relating to the industry during the day.
Amongst it key resolutions at the meeting, NCSC appointed a SUB-Committee to assist MAL formulate a long term Development Strategy for the cocoa industry so that it is incorporated into the overall National Development Strategy for the country.
NCSC meetings are held quarterly and the next meeting will be in March 2011.

(Source: http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/10086-cocoa-industry-needs-collaborative-partnerships)