National Steering Committee meeting
Yesterday, Friday 13th, the National Steering Committee (NSC) convened at the MAL Research Office Conference Room (old Taiwanese Farm) for an important meeting focused on advancing rural women’s economic empowerment in Solomon Islands.
During the session, Project Lead Officers from Kastom Gaden Association (KGA) presented a comprehensive update on the Joint Programme on Accelerating Rural Women's Economic Empowerment of the Pacific Islands (JP RWEE) project.
The presentation highlighted:
- Key project activities implemented in 2025
- Progress and achievements across target communities
- Success stories and positive impacts on rural women
- Challenges encountered and lessons learned
- Strategic plans and priorities for 2026
The meeting provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue, reflection, and guidance from NSC members to strengthen implementation moving forward. It reaffirmed our shared commitment to empowering rural women, improving livelihoods, and promoting inclusive economic growth across the country.
We thank all NSC members and partners for their continued support and collaboration.
#JP_RWEE #RuralWomen #EconomicEmpowerment #Partnerships #KGA
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Solomon Island Communities
About KGA
About KGA
Kastom Gaden Association (KGA) is an indigenous non-profit organisation (a charitable trust) working with Solomon Island communities to improve their food security.
‘Kastom Gaden’ is a Solomons Pijin language term meaning ‘customary gardening’
‘Kastom Gaden’ is a Solomons Pijin language term meaning ‘customary gardening’
About PMN
About PMN
The Planting Materials Network (PMN) provides Solomon Island farmers the opportunity to exchange seeds and planting materials, agricultural knowledge and techniques, and to participate in training activities run by staff and other farmers.
Membership of PMN is available.
Membership of PMN is available.
What we do
What we do
Kastom Gaden Association provides services to strengthen village-based food production and food security in Solomon Islands. We use practical, participatory approaches that enable villagers to develop their own solutions to improving household food security and their village-based agriculture economy.
Our projects
Our projects
Over the more than two and a half decades since its inception, KGA has implemented and been involved in a diversity of projects addressing the food security and the agricultural productivity of Solomon Island villages. View:
• KGA reports • publications • handbooks • training manuals and • general projects.
• KGA reports • publications • handbooks • training manuals and • general projects.
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Kastom Gaden Association
Kastom Gaden Association is an indigenous registered non profit organisation (charitable trust) in the Solomon Islands
Three-Day Workshop on Reducing Food Loss & Waste
February 11th-13th
We successfully were a part of a three-day workshop focused on tackling food loss and waste in the horticulture sector. The training brought together key stakeholders, SINU, MAL representatives, Vendor and Farmer reps, NGOs like Save the Children-Solomon Islands with KGA representatives actively participating in Day 1 and Day 2 sessions.
The workshop began with introductory topics on food loss and waste, setting the foundation for deeper discussions. Participants then engaged in practical sessions covering postharvest technologies, waste management practices, and innovative approaches to reducing losses across the value chain.
This important training was fully funded by Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in collaboration with Solomon Islands National University (SINU) through project CS/2020/191, “Adopting a gender-inclusive participatory approach to reducing horticultural food loss in the Pacific.” The project emphasizes inclusive participation and sustainable solutions to strengthen food systems in the Pacific. It was facilitated by Project leader Angelika Tugaga of Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS), Prof. JR Underhill of University of the Sunshine Coast Australia, a horticulture and food system specialist Suzanne Neave, Lawrence Atu a horticulture and crop science specialist at SINU and Patterson Giza the Head of the Agriculture department SINU.
Workshops were held:
February 11th & 13th: SINU FAFF Conference Room, Kukum Campus
February 12th: KGA Conference Room and Demo Site
We extend our sincere appreciation to all facilitators, participants, and partners for their commitment to reducing horticultural food loss and promoting sustainable practices.
Together, we are building stronger, more resilient food systems for our communities. #KGA #SINU #ACIAR #FoodLossandWaste
February 11th-13th
We successfully were a part of a three-day workshop focused on tackling food loss and waste in the horticulture sector. The training brought together key stakeholders, SINU, MAL representatives, Vendor and Farmer reps, NGOs like Save the Children-Solomon Islands with KGA representatives actively participating in Day 1 and Day 2 sessions.
The workshop began with introductory topics on food loss and waste, setting the foundation for deeper discussions. Participants then engaged in practical sessions covering postharvest technologies, waste management practices, and innovative approaches to reducing losses across the value chain.
This important training was fully funded by Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in collaboration with Solomon Islands National University (SINU) through project CS/2020/191, “Adopting a gender-inclusive participatory approach to reducing horticultural food loss in the Pacific.” The project emphasizes inclusive participation and sustainable solutions to strengthen food systems in the Pacific. It was facilitated by Project leader Angelika Tugaga of Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS), Prof. JR Underhill of University of the Sunshine Coast Australia, a horticulture and food system specialist Suzanne Neave, Lawrence Atu a horticulture and crop science specialist at SINU and Patterson Giza the Head of the Agriculture department SINU.
Workshops were held:
February 11th & 13th: SINU FAFF Conference Room, Kukum Campus
February 12th: KGA Conference Room and Demo Site
We extend our sincere appreciation to all facilitators, participants, and partners for their commitment to reducing horticultural food loss and promoting sustainable practices.
Together, we are building stronger, more resilient food systems for our communities. #KGA #SINU #ACIAR #FoodLossandWaste
Last Thursday, 5th February 2026, Kastom Gaden Association (KGA) hosted a special farewell and welcome lunch to mark an important transition within our team.
We bid farewell to Mr. Hayato Ogushi, our dedicated JICA Volunteer who has served with KGA for the past two years. During his time with us, Mr. Ogushi contributed greatly to our programs and community activities, and we are truly grateful for his commitment, hard work, and friendship. On behalf of KGA, we thank him sincerely and wish him all the very best in his future endeavors.
At the same time, we warmly welcomed Mr. Hiroki Takatsuka, who joins KGA as our new JICA Volunteer and will be serving with us for the next two years. We look forward to working together and continuing to strengthen our programs and support for our communities.
The occasion also coincided with the handing over of a donation by KGA to Mr. John Tasa, Chairman of the Community Association, in support towards the roadworks along the Burns Creek Kastom Gaden road. This contribution reflects our commitment to partnership and community collaboration.
It was a meaningful gathering filled with appreciation, new beginnings, and strengthened partnerships. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event.
#kga #JICA #partnership
We bid farewell to Mr. Hayato Ogushi, our dedicated JICA Volunteer who has served with KGA for the past two years. During his time with us, Mr. Ogushi contributed greatly to our programs and community activities, and we are truly grateful for his commitment, hard work, and friendship. On behalf of KGA, we thank him sincerely and wish him all the very best in his future endeavors.
At the same time, we warmly welcomed Mr. Hiroki Takatsuka, who joins KGA as our new JICA Volunteer and will be serving with us for the next two years. We look forward to working together and continuing to strengthen our programs and support for our communities.
The occasion also coincided with the handing over of a donation by KGA to Mr. John Tasa, Chairman of the Community Association, in support towards the roadworks along the Burns Creek Kastom Gaden road. This contribution reflects our commitment to partnership and community collaboration.
It was a meaningful gathering filled with appreciation, new beginnings, and strengthened partnerships. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event.
#kga #JICA #partnership
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🌱 Happy New Year from KGA! 🌱
A bit late, but we would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank you for your continued support.
At Kastom Gaden Association (KGA), we continue to promote organic farming and make organic products available.
You can now purchase:
- Organic seedlings
- Fruit trees
- Tray eggs
- Broilers (meat chickens)
Our broilers are limited in number, so please contact us early if you would like to reserve yours.
Let’s keep supporting healthy, organic, and sustainable farming together this year.
A bit late, but we would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank you for your continued support.
At Kastom Gaden Association (KGA), we continue to promote organic farming and make organic products available.
You can now purchase:
- Organic seedlings
- Fruit trees
- Tray eggs
- Broilers (meat chickens)
Our broilers are limited in number, so please contact us early if you would like to reserve yours.
Let’s keep supporting healthy, organic, and sustainable farming together this year.
🌱 Kastom Gaden – Makira Visit Highlights
We recently travelled to Makira Province, where we visited 7 communities and successfully conducted local cooking demonstrations along with the distribution of cookbooks.
The activities were carried out in partnership with World Vision Solomon Islands, focusing on practical ways to prepare nutritious meals using locally available ingredients. It was encouraging to see women, men, and youth actively participating and sharing ideas.
We sincerely thank the Makira communities for the warm welcome and strong participation, and World Vision Solomon Islands for the valuable partnership that made this activity possible. We look forward to continuing this important work together. 💚🍽️
#kastomgaden
#localcooking
#makira
#partnerships
#wvsi
We recently travelled to Makira Province, where we visited 7 communities and successfully conducted local cooking demonstrations along with the distribution of cookbooks.
The activities were carried out in partnership with World Vision Solomon Islands, focusing on practical ways to prepare nutritious meals using locally available ingredients. It was encouraging to see women, men, and youth actively participating and sharing ideas.
We sincerely thank the Makira communities for the warm welcome and strong participation, and World Vision Solomon Islands for the valuable partnership that made this activity possible. We look forward to continuing this important work together. 💚🍽️
#kastomgaden
#localcooking
#makira
#partnerships
#wvsi
🎄✨ Belated Merry Christmas! ✨🎄
Belated Christmas greetings from Kastom Gaden Association office and staff to all our hardworking farmers. Though a little late, the love, joy, and blessings of Christmas remain with us.
We sincerely thank you for your commitment, resilience, and partnership throughout the year. May the spirit of Christmas continue to guide us with peace, unity, and hope as we move forward together into the new year.
Wishing you and your families good health, abundant harvests, and continued success. 💚🌱
Belated Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all! 🎁✨
Belated Christmas greetings from Kastom Gaden Association office and staff to all our hardworking farmers. Though a little late, the love, joy, and blessings of Christmas remain with us.
We sincerely thank you for your commitment, resilience, and partnership throughout the year. May the spirit of Christmas continue to guide us with peace, unity, and hope as we move forward together into the new year.
Wishing you and your families good health, abundant harvests, and continued success. 💚🌱
Belated Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all! 🎁✨
ICT4D Kastom Gaden Association recently went down to Choiseul rural farmers with the means to connect rural farmers and the accessibility of how farmers can stay connected and get help with their farming.
On this short trip 829 farmers stepped forward and got registered under Kastom Gaden farmers network and also received their packets of seeds.
In pictures is a highlight of the trip to choiseul province
#pacificfarmersorganisation #IFAD #kastomgadenassociation
On this short trip 829 farmers stepped forward and got registered under Kastom Gaden farmers network and also received their packets of seeds.
In pictures is a highlight of the trip to choiseul province
#pacificfarmersorganisation #IFAD #kastomgadenassociation
Kastom Gaden Association partners with…
