First ever pineapple factory planned for Bina Harbor
Constituents from Bina Harbor, West Kwaio, Malaita Province will soon benefit from a national government project on pineapple production.
Reports say the project will allow people from Bina Harbour area or West Kwaio to access market for their produce.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration and its key partners had been working on the Bonale Pineapple Mill Project earmarked for a site in West Kwaio, Malaita Province.
Peter Debode from Bina Harbor told SIBC News this morning the factory building was currently on tender.
Mr. Debode said the national government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is talking with among other possible investors, a Taiwanese organization as a suitable project partner.
He said over the years, marketing was the main problem for farmers in the area.
”The government stepped in with the pineapple project and we see it as a right move for the people of Bina,’’ he said.
Mr. Debode confirmed they will supply all their products to brewery companies in Honiara and abroad.
He said the communities’ trust board was working closely with the government to oversee the progress of the project.
Director of Industrial Development within the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration Mr. Jacob Gala said the project was now in its technical phase.
”Currently we have three technical studies on paper, mainly food technology plan, business plan, and land use plan,” he said.
”After that we will come up with the bio tech study, then water technical study, and then we will finally come up with the Architectural design (BOQ), where construction will soon come after.”
SIBC News understands, the Ministries of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Agriculture and Livestock, Development Planning and Aid Coordination are parties to the national project.
Other parties include the Malaita Provincial Government and the Bonale Land Trust Board.
By: Charlie Salini & Fred Osifelo.