Solomon Islands secures $8.9 Mn for climate-resilient agriculture
The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) has approved $ 8.9 million in grant funding for an FAO-led initiative aimed at strengthening food security and climate resilience in the Solomon Islands, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations.
Facing rising sea levels, extreme weather, and a largely rural population dependent on agriculture and fisheries, the Solomon Islands confronts serious threats to its food systems and livelihoods. Supported by over $ 29 million in co-financing, the Resilient Rural Economic Growth and Food Security project seeks to transform how food is grown, accessed, and sustained across the archipelago.
The project will promote sustainable farming practices, enhance national policies, strengthen local governance, and improve access to climate information. It targets five provinces—Malaita, Guadalcanal, Choiseul, Temotu, and Rennell/Bellona—that are critical to national food security and face heightened climate risks.
GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodríguez described the project as “a powerful example of how locally led action can turn environmental challenges into opportunities for transformation.” He emphasized the importance of blending scientific knowledge with traditional practices to help communities adapt not only their crops and coastlines but their entire way of life.
The initiative will improve climate resilience across more than 36,000 hectares of land and coastal areas, train over 60,000 people, and directly benefit more than 75,000 residents. It will integrate climate adaptation into national and local food system policies and establish a centralized hub for climate data, advisory services, and investment mechanisms.
Collaborating with the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, the project also aims to preserve traditional knowledge and ensure that adaptation measures are inclusive and culturally appropriate. It will promote diversified livelihoods and train farmers to apply climate information effectively, scaling up successful approaches across the Solomon Islands.
By embedding climate resilience from policy to practice, this initiative is poised to bolster rural livelihoods, enhance food security, and foster sustainable economic opportunities in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
