Locations
The Ado Rural Farmers Association is forging a path toward resilience and sustainable growth.
In Solomon Islands, a country of six big islands and nearly 1,000 smaller ones, the effects of climate change are felt most intensely in rural communities, where livelihoods and food security are deeply intertwined with the land and climate. Yet in these challenging times, the Ado Rural Farmers Association (ARFA) in Falake Community, West Kwaraae, Malaita Province, is forging a path toward resilience and sustainable growth. Through its Sustainable Agro-Forest Nursery Expansion Project, ARFA is equipping local farmers with the skills and resources they need to enhance agricultural productivity, replant their forests, and sustain their communities for generations to come.
ARFA's vision is straightforward but profound: build a space where farmers can access knowledge, tools and materials for sustainable agro-ecological practices. At the heart of this vision is the expansion of ARFA's agro-forestry nursery, a place where seedlings are grown, soil health is nurtured, and community members collaborate on best practices. Local farmers are trained here in modern nursery management and sustainable forestry techniques, and they receive high-quality seeds for crops and forest trees alike. In this way, ARFA is empowering its members to support food security and income stability while rehabilitating lands previously degraded by logging and invasive pests.
Through a phased approach, ARFA has achieved significant milestones, laying the groundwork for long-term impact. The ADO Rural Farmers Association started as a community project in 2002 during the social unrest that struck the country and led to experience food insecurity. In 2013, it was registered as a non-governmental association. The support received from UNDP through the Small Grants Programme from the Global Environment Fund (GEF) with funds from the Australian Government's DFAT Community-Based Adaptation Phase three allowed for the Sustainable Agro-Forest Nursery Expansion.
The Agro-Forest Nursery is now encircled by a protective fence, safeguarding fertile land dedicated to agricultural and forestry seedlings.
Currently, the Agro-Forest Nursery is now encircled by a protective fence, safeguarding fertile land dedicated to agricultural and forestry seedlings. A newly built administration building is helping streamline operations, with a designated section for agricultural nursery activities and another for forest-based projects. Although further funding is required for an irrigation system, which would ensure a continuous water supply, ARFA is already seeing tangible results.
Support for ARFA's initiative is now coming from a variety of sources, reflecting the wide-reaching potential of the project. Recently, the association was awarded a grant, aimed at constructing a Micro Hydropower Plant and Power Transmission Facility that will provide consistent power for the community, fuelling ARFA's ongoing efforts and enabling future expansion.
ARFA's focus on agro-forestry is more than just about planting trees—it's about cultivating an ecosystem that endures and thrives. Having observed the toll of deforestation and the encroachment of invasive pests like the African giant snail and Rhinoceros beetle, ARFA prioritises producing resilient plants and crops. These seedlings are specifically chosen for their resistance to pests and their suitability for Malaita's soil and climate. They're not only a source of revenue and sustenance for the community but also a tool for environmental restoration. ARFA is distributing plant seeds throughout the community, ensuring a steady supply of quality seedlings and providing surrounding communities with the resources needed to keep on combating land degradation.
This approach to community-led reforestation has resonated far beyond Falake Community. ARFA's success has inspired other groups in Malaita, such as the Kauhata Reforestation Project in West Are' Are, to adopt a similar fashion of sustainable agro-forestry. By sharing their knowledge, experience and resources, ARFA is creating a network of rural associations committed to addressing climate change through local action, building a legacy of resilience and shared knowledge across the region.
In speaking about the impact of ARFA's work, Pius Itea, Chairman of ARFA, highlighted the nursery's potential as a collaborative research hub: "The nursery provides a facility that will enable future research collaboration with relevant partners such as Solomon Islands National University, promoting healthy plants and seedlings to support food security and expand into commercial agriculture."
Frida Koiorea, a member of the community and participant in the project.
ARFA's work embodies the principles of Community-Based Adaptation (CBA), a locally-led approach that places power in the hands of those who are most affected by climate change. By encouraging local leadership and fostering active participation, CBA ensures that solutions are not only effective but also equitable, promoting a stronger sense of ownership among the communities involved. With the support of Malaita's Forestry Department and ARFA's determined members, this approach is yielding results that speak to both environmental and social resilience.
Frida Koiorea, a member of the community and participant in the project, shares her enthusiasm for the project's growth: "Through this initiative, we are preserving our environment, empowering our people, and promoting food security. The project has been a changemaker in our lives and let us think about a sustainable future." Her words capture the essence of ARFA's mission—one that extends beyond today's challenges to lay the foundation for a greener tomorrow.
The work of the Ado Rural Farmers Association stands as a testament to what rural communities can achieve when they come together, guided by a shared purpose and the support of dedicated partners. Their journey is an inspiring reminder that local action can drive global change, building a future of resilience and sustainability for Malaita, Solomon Islands, and the Pacific region as a whole. Join us in celebrating this remarkable project and in supporting ARFA's vision of a sustainable environment and a brighter future for generations to come.
The Small Grants Programme is a corporate programme of the Global Environment Facility implemented by the United Nations Development Programme since 1992.
For further information, please contact:
Daniel C. Gonzalez, Communications Analyst, UNDP Solomon Islands Office, daniel.calderon.gonzalez@undp.org | +677 7740740/ +34 656560270