AIM-N Project National Steering Committee holds Inaugural Meeting

The Agriculture Investment for Market and Nutrition (AIM-N) Project National Steering Committee (NSC) yesterday successfully held its inaugural meeting.

The meeting was chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Permanent Secretary and NSC Chairman, Dr Samson Viulu. 

Key discussions focused on the AIM-N project’s strategic direction, the NSC’s oversight role in ensuring effective implementation, endorsement of terms of references for the NSC, review and approval of the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) for 2026, validation of selection criteria to be used for selecting project recipients in the three provinces and the project’s decision-making processes.

The NSC comprises representatives from government ministries, donor partners, the private sector, civil society organisations, academia and research institutions, as well as Provincial Secretaries from Western, Choiseul and Isabel provinces.

The six-year AIM-N project has a total budget of USD 19 million dollars, funded through a combination of loan and grant financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP). 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is the key implementing agency for the project.

Following the meeting, Dr Viulu described the inaugural session as successful.

“Overall, the meeting was successful because we received a lot of feedback and had rich discussions, particularly from the three provincial secretaries whose provinces were selected for the project, as well as from the permanent secretaries of government ministries present. 

“Contributions from other stakeholders including people with special needs were also well noted and appreciated,” he said.

AIM-N Project Manager, Ms Samantha Maeke, described the inaugural NSC meeting as a major milestone for the project.

“The successful convening of this first National Steering Committee meeting marks a major milestone for the AIMN Project. 

“While it demonstrates strong government leadership and coordination in guiding the project, it also reinforces strong collaboration across relevant government ministries, the private sector, civil society organisations, and people with special needs representatives. 

“With the committee’s endorsement and guidance, the project is well-positioned to deliver meaningful and sustainable benefits to communities in Western, Choiseul and Isabel Provinces,” she said.

Ms Maeke added that one of the core functions of the NSC is to approve key project documents.

“There are certain key governance, planning and operational documents within the project, such as the Annual Work Plan and Budget, that require NSC approval. Without this approval, project funds cannot be released. We are pleased that the 2026 Work Plan and Budget has been approved,” she said.

Isabel Province Supervising Provincial Secretary, Mr Rex Manase, said the province looks forward to the project’s implementation.

“As a province, we are willing to work with all stakeholders involved in implementing the project. While we acknowledge coordination challenges, we are very much looking forward to seeing the project carried out in Isabel Province,” he said.

Choiseul Province Provincial Secretary, Mr Geoffrey Pakipota, thanked MAL for convening the meeting and selecting Choiseul Province as a project site.

“I want to thank MAL for identifying our province as one of the project areas. Agriculture is the backbone of our country, yet due to competing national priorities, there has been limited agricultural development in the provinces. For Choiseul, this project is a major boost and a trigger for agricultural development, and we look forward to its implementation,” he said.

Western Province Provincial Secretary, Mr Patrick Toiraena, welcomed the project, noting the challenges faced by the province’s agriculture sector.

“We see the AIM-N project as an important intervention that will add value to what our farmers and the province are already working on. Logistics and resources are a challenge for our people, but this project will support rural farmers and our growing population, while also helping to reduce non-communicable diseases by improving nutrition and food security in the province,” he said.

The AIM-N project targets 65 rural communities, schools and organizations and is expected to benefit over 18,000 people, with women accounting for 50 percent of beneficiaries and youth 20 percent.

The project aims to improve nutrition and food security, reduce poverty in rural areas, and build resilient farming systems by strengthening and empowering indigenous traditional farming practices.

The NSC meets twice annually. The next NSC meeting is tentatively scheduled to be held in Choiseul Province in 2026.

Provinces not included in the AIM-N project are covered under other projects such as the World Bank funded SIART project that is currently carried out by the ministry.  

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MAL Press Release