Aquatic Agricultural Systems Competence Development in the Solomon Islands - Pacific Region.

[Onesmus Mutuku]

Background - Solomon Islands.

100% of the population lives within 100km of the coast. Subsistence agriculture is the main livelihood for the rural coastal households engaging 70% of the women and 50% of the men. Almost a quarter of the population faces difficulties meeting basic needs and many others are vulnerable to rising food prices , declining incomes, and effects of climate change.

 

World Fish Solomon Island key Focus areas include:

• Action research with Coastal Communities to develop community based fisheries management strategies.
• A gendered approach to fisheries management and development through strategies and community level actions.
• Developing community level methods for climate change adaptation planning.
• Researching the species, farming systems and production models that can most competitively supply fish for domestic consumption from inland aquaculture.
• Valuing Mangrove and Coral Reef Ecosystems and exploring opportunities for payment for ecosystems services.
• Human resource development for National Researchers, NGO and Government Staff.

 

World Fish/Constellation Partnership: AAS Competence Development in the Solomon Islands:

The Constellation in partnership with the World Fish Centre, is implementing the project – Towards Competent Communities in Aquatic Agricultural Systems in Bangladesh, Zambia and the Solomon islands. The project commenced in April 2004. The overarching objective of this collaboration is to work towards greater empowerment of communities dependent on Aquatic Agricultural System and to invest in long term development.

The specific objectives are to identify and implement joint Research in development approaches through the CGIAR Research program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems(AAS); build community capacity to lead Research and Development initiatives in the places where they farm, fish and sustainably manage their Aqua-Culture natural resources; and strengthen capacity among CGIAR staff/ Partners working within this Community settings.

In the Solomon Island, a 3 day learning event (28-30, August 2012) on community engagement through CLCP was organised by World fish and facilitated by the Constellation Coaches. The event brought together 9 World fish staff to help strengthen AAS rollout process at the Country level through CLCP.

The Learning Event helped generate three Concrete Outcomes;

1. WF staff in the Solomon Island became more aware of who the Constellation is, appreciated what CLCP is about, how the community engagement approach/process could add value into their AAS roll out process including integration into other running Development programs within the Solomon Island.
2. Generated deeper insights, Confidence and further enhanced Competence among the WF staff – who in the following week - after the learning event took lead to facilitate the Community consultation workshop that brought together Community champions from (Central, South and Northern) parts of Malaita province- The first AAS roll out Hub in Solomon Islands.
3. Further simulated by the approach and became Passionate – an invitation for further support during the 2^nd Hub roll out in the Western Province by the Constellation in 2013 was extended.

Below are key reflections during the learning the Learning Event;

‘It was a great week; the approach on community engagement was well introduced. It now makes sense to me and our research and Development work in Solomon’s. We are happy the Constellation came in at last to help Solomonise the approach’ – Anna, Senior Research Scientist and AAS program leader – Solomon Island.

‘The timeline helped us reflect on our journey of learning, growth, and desire for improvement in our response as WF Solomon- Delvine, Country Manager, WF Solomon Islands.

‘Our minds are wide open now, we have seen how CLCP could be integrated into our Research program, how it can add value into our ways of working and further help us get validation of our Research agenda by the communities themselves’ – Zelda Hilly, Research Analyst – Western Province.

 

WF staff general reflection on CLCP process;

• Simple for community and easy to work on.
• Process is relational – helps build and deepen relationship with communities. It helps brings comfort and more listening to the community.
• Cultivates a deeper sense of ownership, self worth by communities through facilitation by facilitators who have to be SALT in their way working and thinking. However, this requires time to develop.
• Dreams will always change over time.
• As an organization, we should recognize and embrace CLCP approach and process and its importance into our Research and Development work.

[Loli Rey]

Congratulations for this great work.