It is fair to say that none of the achievements of these projects since 2008 would have occurred without the active support of all of our partners and while we mention them briefly below, we owe them all a huge debt of gratitude and our enduring thanks for their involvement and friendship.
The Solomon Islands Government, Ministry of Forestry and Research
The project has been supported by the Ministry of Forestry in all aspects of its work. At a ministerial level we work in close contact with the Permanent Secretary, Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners in the development, planning and implementation of the project. At a local level we are totally dependent upon the goodwill and help of the local forestry officers, in particular Munda and Poitete in Western province, Auki in Malaita Province and recently including Buala in Isabel Province.
Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF)
ACIAR projects have both national and international linkages and the project works closely with QDAF to ensure research is relevant to Australia as well as Solomon Islands. The reports arising from the QDAF research can be found in the resources section of this website
Solomon Islands Association of Vocational Rural Training Centres
As with the Ministry of Forestry, our involvement with SIAVRTC goes back to the start of the initial project in 2008. The Rural Training Centres have been central to our aim of spreading information about the use of agroforestry throughout Solomon Islands and has now progressed to the point where we are developing selected RTCs to act as community hubs to promote agroforestry and sustainable forest management practices. We are very grateful for the constant support we have received from the Executive and Principals of the Association. We would also like to recognise the RTCs that host our trials:
Kolombangara Forest Products Ltd.
Our major scientific trials have been placed on KFPL land and we have received transport, labour and logistical support from KFPL throughout our involvement in Solomon Islands. Beyond the physical mechanisms of support we have received friendship and hospitality, wise advice and tolerance of our many requests. Within the new project, KFPL have once again become important research partners including allowing us to collect data on growth response to thinning from within their teak plantations.
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
We have worked closely with SPC, especially in the development of this project as we transitioned in to a more community based approach. SPC have been involved in the development of the agroforestry booklets available from this website and these have in turn led to the development of other material, such as the poster series that is also available for download from the website
The People of Solomon Islands
The most important group in our research is the people of Solomon Islands. Without their willingness to cooperate, to try new approaches to growing trees and to allow us into their villages and onto their land, we would achieve nothing. We are humbled by their hospitality and consideration. We would like to recognise the communities that have welcomed us onto their land: