Authors:
- Ravindra Chandra Joshi, International consultant
- Tikai Pitakia, Kastom Garden Association, Honiara
- Stefano Mondovi, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome
- Johannes Ketelaar, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Bangkok
The Solomon Islands’ agricultural sector holds significant potential to drive economic growth and national food security.
By addressing current challenges and leveraging available opportunities, the country can transform its agricultural sector into a powerful engine for development.
This guide was commissioned by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the Capacity Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements in African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries Phase III programme (ACP MEAs 3), funded by the European Union.
As part of ACP MEAs 3, field activities were carried out in the Solomon Islands to mainstream biodiversity into the agricultural sector. At the heart of this guide is the Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) approach a participatory method where farmers engage directly in experimenting with new techniques, analysing results and sharing experiences with peers in their fields.
This comprehensive guide, the first of its kind in the Pacific region, equips facilitators in Solomon Islands to conduct impactful FFSs focused on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. It is designed for empowering extension staff, non-governmental organization (NGO) personnel and experienced farmers to become skilled facilitators. The guide goes beyond a simple curriculum, offering a detailed framework for planning, implementing, evaluating and even following up on FFS programmes.