The high rate of rural poverty, currently at 36.5 percent, is a significant concern frequently discussed in district and provincial meetings, according to Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka. His comments came in response to Agriculture and Waterways Assistant Minister Tomasi Tunabuna’s inquiry in Parliament regarding the revival of the Rural and Outer Island (ROI) program and how the ministry intends to implement it for optimal investment returns.
Mr. Ditoka emphasized that the ministry is collaborating closely with key stakeholders to address the challenges posed by rural poverty, particularly those related to subsistence farmers and rural-urban migration. He noted that many individuals in rural areas are close to the poverty line and could fall below it due to economic shocks, such as those experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Coalition Government decided to relaunch the ROI program in January 2023, which underwent comprehensive consultations with stakeholders, including significant private sector representatives, to pinpoint the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities present within the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors.
He highlighted the importance of understanding the value chain system to ensure the program is data-driven and effectively tackles the development challenges faced by rural communities. Key issues identified during the consultations included the need for improved farm access roads, market access, communication networks, transportation, water supply, and the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise and riverbank erosion.
Mr. Ditoka mentioned that these issues are frequently brought up in district and provincial meetings and open forums. The revitalized ROI program aims to complement initiatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry, focusing on enhancing infrastructure such as farm access roads, land preparation, and market connectivity.
An anticipated outcome of the program is improved productivity and production primarily for subsistence farmers, which is vital for tackling rural poverty by increasing income and purchasing power within these communities. The same principles will apply to income-generating projects in the fisheries and forestry sectors.
Moreover, the ROI program aims to bolster food security and nutrition, essential factors in measuring poverty levels. The ministry is currently finalizing its production and farming plan and will soon initiate a community awareness program regarding monthly targets and projected post-harvest returns. All plans will be closely monitored by a divisional technical working group overseen by divisional commissioners.