Telebere News

Makira/Ulawa Province is steadily emerging as a hub of rural agribusiness growth, with local farmer groups recording encouraging progress under the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation (SIART) Project. Across the province, Agribusiness Producer Organisations (ABPOs ) are actively implementing projects that strengthen cocoa production, improve processing capacity, and increase income opportunities for smallholder farmers. The SIART Project, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and funded by the World Bank, aims to transform agriculture by boosting productivity, improving market access, and supporting sustainable agribusiness development. Strengthening Rural Livelihoods Through Agribusiness SIART provides grants, equipment, training, and working capital to ABPOs—community-based farmer groups operating across key agricultural value chains. These investments are already delivering tangible results in Makira/Ulawa, particularly in cocoa-pr...

As the festive season approaches, the Young Entrepreneurs Council of Solomon Islands (YECSI) has chosen to conclude its 2025 calendar not with a corporate conference or workshop, but with a heartfelt act of compassion. Through the YECSI Care Initiative, members mobilized to donate essential items including drinking water, clothing, toiletries, and cash to patients in the Medical Ward at the National Referral Hospital (NRH). The initiative was specifically designed to support those spending the holidays in hospital beds, away from their families, during one of the year's most emotionally significant times. A Gesture of Solidarity The donation was formally received by Dr. Jason Itaku and Nurse Michael Anifelo. YECSI Membership Officer Winnie Ashley presented the contribution on behalf of the council’s growing membership. During the moving presentation, Nurse Anifelo expressed deep gratitude to the young leaders for remembering a group that is often overlooked during the h...

In the lush provinces of Guadalcanal, Malaita, and Makira/Ulawa, a quiet revolution is taking root. It isn't led by heavy machinery or corporate giants, but by 43 determined young graduates armed with clipboards, soil testing kits, and a vision for a more food-secure nation. Through the World Bank-funded Solomon Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) Project, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) is tackling two of the nation's biggest challenges at once: youth unemployment and rural productivity. By deploying these graduates as junior extension officers, the project is bridging the gap between academic theory and the practical needs of the Solomon Islands' rural heartlands. The New Face of Agricultural Extension For decades, the Ministry’s extension services, the vital link between government policy and farm-level practice—have faced capacity constraints. The SIART Project’s "Young Professionals" initiative is a direct answer to th...

In the remote village of Nukukaisi, West Bauro, Makira/Ulawa Province, a quiet economic revolution is taking root, driven by the humble cocoa bean and a powerful community spirit. The Vaimatesa Savings and Producer Group, a collective of 32 farming households, is transforming its cocoa farms into a thriving agribusiness, showcasing a successful model for rural development in the Solomon Islands. Their journey is a testament to the power of communal investment and the practical support provided by the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation (SIART) Project. A Recipe for Success: The SIART Partnership The Vaimatesa Group is one of nineteen Agribusiness Organisations (ABPOs) in the province benefiting from a grant agreement with SIART, a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and the World Bank. This support has been the catalyst for the group's success. With working capital provided by the SIART grant, the group operates a streaml...

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) has welcomed the return of two local forecasters who have successfully completed a postgraduate qualification at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Training College. Forecasters Frank Bale and Richard Huka underwent extensive training that strengthened their skills in meteorology, forecasting techniques, climate science, and weather observation. The program also deepened their understanding of tropical meteorology—knowledge essential for a country highly exposed to extreme weather conditions. According to SIMS, the enhanced expertise of the two officers will directly boost the nation’s ability to forecast severe weather events such as cyclones, issue timely warnings, and provide accurate climate information to protect communities. The training was delivered under a twinning arrangement established in March this year between SIMS and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), aimed at building local capacity and strengthening t...

Rural communities in Guadalcanal Province are seeing tangible improvements in their livelihoods, thanks to the steady progress of the Solomon Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) Project. Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), the project is strategically empowering local farmers by strengthening Agribusiness Producer Organizations (ABPOs), aiming to significantly increase agricultural production, improve market access, and bolster rural incomes. Empowering Farmers Through Collaboration The core of the SIART project's impact lies in its Agribusiness and Infrastructure Investment component, which facilitates the formation and support of ABPOs. These groups comprising farmers and Agri-entrepreneurs work together to secure access to markets, financing, and essential support services, effectively helping individual farmers sell more products and increase their farm production. SIART Project Manager, William Oke...

Car accidents in Honiara are surging, and a clear, disturbing pattern is emerging young people drive many of the vehicles involved. This rise is more than a statistic; it signals a crisis that harms families, communities, and the future of the Solomon Islands. Our youth form the backbone of our nation, and when their lives are threatened, the entire country feels the impact. The maroon Nissan X-Trail that crashed at KGVI on Saturday, 6 December 2025. Photo sourced from Facebook. The tragic incidents at Maromaro and King George Sixth over the weekend, both involving young drivers, demand decisive action now. The Facts Validate the Fear Data confirms the youth crisis on our roads, nearly half (48.5%) of all road crash victims in Honiara presenting with serious injuries are aged between 10 and 29 years old, with young males disproportionately affected.   Alcohol remains a massive factor, contributing to nearly a quarter of all serious incidents. These figures are not just...

Australia is investing in the next generation of Solomon Islands leaders, awarding 36 Australia Awards Scholarships for study at top universities across Australia in 2026. This year’s cohort includes 2 PhDs, 28 Masters, and 6 undergraduate scholars – a powerful boost to Solomon Islands’ human capital. With 16 women and 20 men, the program reflects Australia’s commitment to gender equality, inclusive development, and building skills that drive national progress. Scholars with Dr Franco Rodie, MEHRD Permanent Secretary, Australian Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Schloeffel, and other distinguished guests. The scholars were celebrated at a special pre-departure and farewell event in Honiara, attended by government leaders, alumni and their family members, and the Australian High Commission. The event featured an information session highlighting the life-changing opportunity these scholarships represent – not just for individuals, but for communities and the nation. First Secretary E...

Afu Lia Billy’s journey—from a young mother escaping violence to a national leader—is a story of courage, resilience, and transformation. At the heart of it is the Australia Awards scholarship she received in 1989. For Ms Billy, studying at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga wasn’t just an academic opportunity—it was a lifeline. "I was fleeing a violent relationship, so I was grateful to leave the country and be safe in another country," she recalls. Safety was only the beginning. Six months into her studies, the father of her two daughters—then aged four and six—refused to let them join her. Against the odds, she regained custody, and her children joined her in Australia. Ms. Billy graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Business (Business Management) and she benefitted enormously from the opportunity to study in Australia. "It wasn’t so much my study but my experience as a single mother juggling studies and caring for my children," she explains. Wh...

After years of service marked by partnership, trust, and enduring friendship, Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, is departing the country—leaving behind what he describes as “one of the greatest honours” of his life. The High Commissioner and his wife Ewa Janus open the Oneone Abu Health Centre, Malaita Province, co-funded by Australia and Hon Mathew Wale . In a heartfelt farewell message, Mr. Hilton reflected on the deep connections he and his wife, Ewa, have formed with the people and communities of Solomon Islands during his tenure. “As I prepare to leave Solomon Islands, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people of this beautiful country. Serving as Australia’s High Commissioner has been one of the greatest honours of my life,” he said. The High Commissioner Rod Hilton speaks to children in Makira Province. The Stronger Education Together (SET) project aims to improve parental and community capacity to support children’s lea...