2 Aug 2013

Solomon Islands Govt accused of rural neglect

8:11 am on 2 August 2013

A former premier of Solomon Islands' Malaita province says the government is neglecting people in rural areas, where 80 percent of the population of about 600-thousand live.

Reuben Moli says the government is encouraging people in villages to raise chickens and pigs, in a bid to broaden the country's economic base.

But he says the feed required to produce poultry or pork is unaffordable for most people and so the meat that is available at market is too expensive for people to buy.

"Chickens are now a hundred dollars - a hundred and 20 dollars for one chicken. Nobody in his right mind or her right mind will dream to buy one for one meal. That's one bag of rice already, for one chicken."

Reuben Moli says the government should be instructing Solomon Islands scientists to find out what local feeds can be used for chickens and pigs.