BY TONY IROGA
North Guadalcanal Constituency (NGC), Guadalcanal Province has taken a significant step towards strengthening rural economic development and agricultural productivity with the handover of 13 three-tonne trucks to support its 13 Economic Zones.
The handover ceremony, held yesterday at GPPOL 1 as part of the NGC closing of launched of Mini Trade Show, marked a major milestone in the constituency’s efforts to improve transportation and market access for local farmers and agricultural producers.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Member of Parliament for North Guadalcanal, Dr Paul Bosawai said the vehicles will play a vital role in supporting farmers and improving the transportation of agricultural produce to markets.
The trucks were procured at a total cost of approximately SBD 2.2 million through funding support from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) under the Rural Sustainable Development Programme.
And is administered through the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), which contributed SBD 1.5 million, while the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Productive Sector Cash Grant contributed SBD 720,000.
“These additional trucks will support our local farmers in transporting their agricultural products to the markets,” Dr. Bosawai said.
He said that agriculture remains the backbone of the constituency’s development vision and encouraged constituents to invest more in farming activities.
“I want to see our people focus more on agriculture and invest in agricultural production. Our goal is to strengthen food security not only for North Guadalcanal but also for Solomon Islands as a whole,” he said.
Dr. Bosawai said the launch of tractors and agricultural trucks demonstrates the constituency’s commitment to transforming North Guadalcanal into a leading agricultural constituency.
“We want North Guadalcanal to become more engaged in agriculture and contribute meaningfully to the national economy,” he said.
He said through these investments, we are creating opportunities for our people while strengthening the country’s food production capacity.
The handover ceremony was one of the major closing highlights of the week-long North Guadalcanal Constituency Launch and Mini Trade Show, which featured cultural performances, awareness programs, community activities, and agricultural exhibitions.
North Guadalcanal Constituency Development Officer Simon Ngoli said the mini trade show forms part of the strategic development vision of MP Dr. Paul Bosawai and his constituency office.
“The mini trade show is part of the strategic plan of Honourable Paul Bosawai to promote economic growth and development across the constituency,” Mr. Ngoli said.
He explained that the agricultural equipment and vehicles are intended to address one of the biggest challenges faced by rural farmer transportation.
“In the past, many constituents would come to the constituency office seeking assistance for transport costs to move their produce to markets. These trucks will help reduce that burden,” he said.
Mr. Ngoli said the 13 trucks will work alongside tractors already distributed across the constituency to improve logistics and agricultural productivity.
“Logistics is very important in agriculture. Farmers can produce goods, but without reliable transport they struggle to get their products to market.
“These trucks will help bridge that gap and support economic activities within our Economic Zones,” he said.
The week-long event, which began earlier this week and concluded yesterday with the official handover of the trucks and is expected to become an annual program with the aim of promoting rural development, sustainable agriculture, and local economic growth throughout North Guadalcanal.
Community leaders, farmers, and residents who attended the celebrations welcomed the initiative, describing it as a major investment that will improve livelihoods, strengthen food security, and create greater economic opportunities for rural communities across the constituency.
The handover of the 13 trucks represents another significant investment in North Guadalcanal’s vision of building resilient rural communities through agriculture, improved infrastructure, and community-driven development.
Photo credit: Anderson Bosa
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