Fourteen rice projects funded by the Solomon Islands government have begun their harvest.
The projects are part of the government's efforts to counter the high cost of importing rice by planting the crop in the provinces.
The agriculture minister, Selwyn Riumana, says the government has given equipment to farmers.
Mr Ruimana has told parliament that 1,000 hectares of rice have been planted.
"Now rice, Mr Speaker, takes almost three months before harvest. In one year it's 2.25 crops, taking into account crop rotation or husbandry practices."
Selwyn Riumana
