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The long wait for the Solomon Islands to meet international market standards for agricultural exports is about to become a thing of the past.
Thanks to the National Government funding for the building complex, which houses a steam thermal treatment plant, located in the MAL biosecurity zone near Henderson International Airport in Honiara.
Before the actual installation work at the VHT plant was completed, the complex housing the facility was completed with only minor renovations.
The steam heat treatment plant was purchased in 2022 and is now operational in Honiara. Installation work is expected to begin in November this year by experts from the Japanese manufacturing company.
Front view of the building facilities.
Once the installation work is completed, pre-commissioning and testing for optimal operating conditions will be carried out and MAL technicians will initially operate the plant, conducting trials on fruits and vegetables for export.
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), Franklyn Derek Wasi, visited the facility yesterday and was very pleased with the progress of the installation and operation of the steam thermal treatment facility so far.
“I am delighted to be here to see this important and historic investment by the National Government in the agriculture sector to boost the growth of our national economy.”
“The operation of this processing facility will allow us to meet the standards required by international markets for fruits and vegetables, especially those that are vulnerable to fruit flies,” Minister Wasi said.
“As the minister responsible for agriculture, I will ensure that this project is completed and the steam heat treatment is operational in the coming months”.
Upstairs is office space for officials who oversee the facility.
The treatment facility, which will be the first of its kind in the country and the region, will be used to treat local agricultural products to meet international standards for phytosanitary measures for four economic fruit fly species in the Solomon Islands and meet the requirements for export to any international market.
Minister Wasi added that once the facility is fully operational, our farmers will be able to export papayas and mangoes.
The building complex and steam heat treatment project cost about S$7 million and was fully funded by SIG through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).
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– MAL Media
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