YPARD Solomon Islands shines at the Pacific Agrihack competition

Malaita Youth In Business Association (MYIBA) scooped one of the three awards during the Pacific Agrihack lab 2018 in Tonga on 5th December 2018. 

MYIBA was represented by Mr Watson Cyrus and Mr Hika Joseph, YPARD Solomon Islands representative where they competed with fifteen finalists across the Pacific. The competition was part of the “Promoting Nutrition Food Systems in the Pacific Islands (Inno4AgPacific) to; “Strengthen the capacity of the Pacific Island governments, farmers and private sector organizations, and sub-regional institutions to develop strategies and programmes, a project by CTA, International Fund for Agriculture Development and Pacific Islands Private Sector Organization. 

The event was attended by Pacific Island governments, non-government organizations, private sectors, and individuals businesses. The event brought together Pacific Islanders to share their challenges and come up with innovative ways on how to tackle the challenges regionally and nationally. One of the challenges was echoed throughout the event is climate change. Pacific Island states are vulnerable to climate change. Field trips were organized for participants to see the actual happenings on the ground and Pacific case studies were shared for the successes and lessons learnt. The competition was on ICT and Agriculture with an aim to prove how ICT can improve agricultural economic activities such as the value chains.

One of MYIBA’s objective in its strategic plan is to develop an on and off-line mobile app. The core purpose of the app is for connectivity with all farmers who are part of the association. 

Watson and Hika pitched the mobile app concept note that will: connect youth farmers, farmers to buyers for market purpose, information, opportunities and support services.

“This app is aimed to be piloted by MYIBA, it is understood that with the increase in technology and the undersea cable on the way, it is good to prepare and take advantage of such service,” said Mr Hika Joseph.

It is a plus for the association who are engaged in farming to explore and expand into using ICT to enhance their businesses especially in keeping up with the trend of technology now and earn money through its efficiency.

Mr. Watson said, “Young people love technology and so when adding this app into the planning of the association attracts more of them, so let’s use technology.”
Malaita Youth In Business Association is formed by rural young people of Malaita. These young people saw the need and importance of working together in Agricultural Business activities.

The association is currently finalizing its strategic plan and will continue to roll out its activity next year 2019. YPARD Solomon Islands is and will be supporting youth associations and individuals who are into agribusiness. 

Malaita Youth In Business Association (MYIBA) is supported by Youth@Work Programme, Malaita Provincial Youth Division, Ministry of Agriculture -Provincial Rural Advisory Service and Young Professionals for Agriculture Development Solomon Islands (YPARD-SI).

 

Picture credit: Hika Joseph