Background
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from eligible farmers, agribusinesses, and agriculture cooperatives to apply for support under the Commercial Rice Development Programme.
Rice consumption in the Solomon Islands has increased steadily over the years, making rice one of the countryโs primary staple foods. Current consumption is estimated at approximately 100โ150 kilograms per person per year, reflecting the growing dependence on imported rice among households nationwide. Our annual total import of rice is estimated at 300 million indicating very high consumption of rice.
In response to the rising cost of rice imports and increasing domestic demand, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) proposes to establish commercial rice farms on Guadalcanal and Malaita.
The initiative aims to gradually reduce the countryโs reliance on imported rice by strengthening local production capacity. The Ministry is committed to supporting potential rice entrepreneurs who are interested in venturing into commercial-scale rice farming, with the objective of enhancing national food security, reducing import expenditure, and promoting sustainable agricultural development in the Solomon Islands.
The program offers various assistance to strengthen market access, promote sustainable production, and improve value chain development for commercially viable agriculture sectors.
Eligible Project Areas
Applicants may seek support for projects related to the following areas:
ยท MALD EOI-008 Establishment of 30 Ha Rice farm on Guadalcanal and 30 Ha Rice farm on Malaita Provinces
Application and Submission Process
All interested applicants to obtain the CRDP Application Form and Guidelines from the MAL HQ Office (ATLHabour View Building, Honiara).
Deadline for Applications: 13 March 2026, 3pm
Late submissions will not be considered.
ONLY GENUINE APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
For further inquiries, please contact:
Phone: 24767
Email: SNanau@mal.gov.sb
