The Sustainable Youth Livelihoods Project (SYLP) has been funded by AusAID for two years to train rural youth in establishing income earning opportunities.
Like other countries that have suffered instability, conflict and declining internal security, the Solomon Islands displays a 'demographic bulge' in the 15 to 30 year age group. Developing livelihoods in the villages for this demographic is critical to future stability and wellbeing.
Agriculture remains the only viable source of income generation for rural people in the Solomons. The SYLP provides training in mixed-species agroforestry, pig farming and small business to youth trainees.
TerraCircle was contracted to produce two student handbooks, one on agroforestry and the other on pig farming, for trainees.
Led by Roselyn Kabu Maemouri, the project assessed existing pest management techniques and trialed new approaches.
A useful output of the project has been a manual for agricultural trainers, entitled Integrated Pest Management, in which Roselyn documents some of the project's learnings. The manual will be published by the Secretariat or the Pacific Community.
Kastom Gaden staff are exploring ways to foster regional cooperation by extending their work into other areas of Melanesia and by developing a team of competent, experienced trainers.
