The Solomon Islands comprise many individual islands (some 992 islands of which 347 are inhabited) in a scattered archipelago with a combined land area of about 28,450 sq km². The territory of the archipelago extends 1,770 km southeast from Bougainville between latitude 4⁰45' and 12⁰30' S and longitudes 155⁰30' and 170⁰30' E. There are six major islands or groups of islands with numerous small islands and atolls. The major islands are Guadalcanal, Malaita, Choiseul, Santa Isabel, New Georgia and San Cristolbal (see Figure 1). These vary in length from 145 to 190 km and in width from 35 to 50 km. The largest of the islands, Guadalcanal has a land area of 5,120 sq. km (Gutteridge and Whiteman, 1978). In 1993, the human population was estimated at 400,000 with an annual growth rate of 3.45 percent per annum (Wahananiu et. al, 1993). The present population of the Solomon Islands is estimated at 446,000 by Crocombe (2001), 447,900 in mid-2000 by SPC and 552,438 (July 2006 est.) with a 2.6% growth rate, according to the World Factbook.

The main industries are copra, timber, palm oil, fish, cocoa and to an extent beef cattle. Main exports are timber, fish, copra, cocoa and palm oil/kernel. Agriculture including forestry, livestock and fisheries account for about 70 percent of the GDP (Wahananiu et al, 1993). For an overview of development in the Solomon Islands see the ADB reports on economic development and trends and prospects and the World Bank report on Stakeholder Participation in Development. Ruminant livestock production plays a declining role in the economy of the Solomon Islands, but Government has made plans to increase local production. Table 1 gives statistics of ruminant livestock numbers, beef and milk production and imports for the period of 1995-2005 in Solomon Islands.

Table 1.  Solomon Islands statistics of livestock numbers, beef, milk and pig meat production and imports for the period 1995-2005.

* various beef preparations are also imported declining from 788 Mt in 1996 to 44 Mt in 2004.
n.r-no record
Sources: FAO on-line statistics (2006)

Figure 1. Map of Solomon Islands

The main islands have steeply dissected mountainous interiors which rise to over 1,000 m, and on Guadalcanal to 2,330 m. The major rocks types are Mesozoic metamorphics, and Tertiary intrusives (gabbro, diorites and ultramafics), volcanics (andesites and basalts), and calcareous and non-calcareous sediments. There are also areas of Pleistocene reef limestone and recent sediments (organic accumulations and alluvium).

Most agricultural activity is confined to the more favourable topography of the coastal areas where the climate is hot and wet, and vegetation is lowland rainforest (Chase, et al 1986). Based on the report of Chase et al (1986) five types soils are found:

(1) alluvial soils with seasonal rainfall (mean annual c .2,000 mm);

(2) moderately weathered clay soils derived from uplifted coral and fine grained calcareous sediments with rainfall of about 3,500 mm;

(3) colluvial soils derived from basaltic volcanics with high rainfall (c.5,000 mm);

(4) clay soils on uplifted coral with recent additions of andesitic ash, with rainfall of about 4,500 mm, and

(5) strongly weathered clay soils derived from basaltic volcanics with rainfall of about 3500 mm.

The alluvial terrace at the western end of Guadalcanal Plains has the greatest potential for commercial agricultural development in the Solomon Islands (Hansell and Wall, 1974). The plains occupy an area of 340 sq. km, and lie in the rain shadow area of north Guadalcanal. In uncultivated areas vegetation consists of mixed deciduous forest along rivers and stream channels. The soils on the alluvial terraces were classified as Ustropepts (Wall et al, 1979). The main crops grown are oil palm, coconut, cocoa, vegetables and root crops.

In the western part of Santa Cruz, the soils are generally rich in bases and are well-drained being formed on uplifted coral limestone. This area also has considerable potential for agricultural development. Most Solomon Islands soils have an udic moisture regime, i.e., the soil moisture is not dry in any part for as long as 90 days (cumulative). Most of the soils in the Solomon Islands are high in calcium and magnesium; phosphorus is moderate but potassium can be marginal in some soils (Watson and Whiteman, 1981a).

The main islands are rugged and mountainous, the highest named peak Mt Makarakombou (2447 m) is on Guadalcanal. Most islands are of igneous and metamorphic rocks, overlaid with considerable layers of marine sediments. The only extensively coastal plains are on the north-east coast of Guadalcanal. Many outer islands are coral atolls and raised coral reef.

Ruminant production is very important and plays a vital role in the Solomon Islands. The two ruminant species that the Livestock Division is particularly concerned with in terms of their development as an industry are cattle and goats.

Cattle were first introduced by missions in the 1800s, chiefly for milk. Levers imported about 1,000 head from New South Wales between 1910-1915, which included Shorthorn, Hereford, Redpoll, Jersey, Durham and in 1921 Zebu (Wahananiu et al, 1993). In 1941, the estimated herd was 16,000 head, half of which were owned by Levers. The numbers fell to a 1,500 head feral herd during WWII, but by 1960 the number had doubled to 3,000. At this time a small government herd was started, but later disbanded due to poor management. In 1965, some 610 head of Shorthorn, Hereford and second cross Santa Gertrudis were imported and in 1968 a shipment of 402 head were imported for smallholders.

In 1970, the cattle population was around 12,000 head and this led the Government to start programmes to promote cattle development in the smallholder sector. Under the 6^th Development Plan (DP6) subsidies were given to the cattle industry and during the period 1979-1987 about 4,900 head were imported and given to smallholders and the Government breeding herds. By 1977 the total herd size was said to be 22,700 head (25,000 according to Wate, 1995).

In 1974 a project was identified to develop the beef industry based on the success of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (MAL) with herds on the Guadalcanal Plains. The project was designed to enable the country to reach self-sufficiency and possibly to export and it was expected that cattle numbers would increase to 52,000 by 1984, and allow an annual off take of 6,280 over the period 1982-1984. The ADB-funded project started in 1977 and extended over 5 years. A cattle development authority (CDA, and later called Livestock Development Authority (LDA) in 1983) was created to provide handling, processing and marketing of cattle and to assist smallholder farmers. The programme included subsidies for pasture development and fencing.

In 1984 the loan was closed and at the end of the project in 1985, the national herd had declined to 20,000, well short of the projected 52,000; therefore the annual offtake never reached the predicted figure, being only 1,532 head. Since 1984, the cattle population has declined to 9,700 head in 1991 (Wahananiu et al, 1993) and has remained around 10,000 head up to 1994 but FAOSTAT data suggests numbers have increased to 13,500 by 2004.

The two ruminant species that the Livestock Division is concerned with in terms of development as an industry are cattle and goats. In 1993 it was estimated that there were 8,406 beef cattle, 20 dairy cattle and 1000 goats. Table 2 provides figures for the distribution of cattle by province and sector in 1991(Wahananiu et al, 1993).

In 1991 the cattle population was estimated at 9,718 head including a breeding herd of about 2,800 (see Table 2). LDA is the largest owner of cattle in the country and currently owns about 40 percent of the national herd and 50 percent of the breeding herd. Only LDA herds can supply breeding stock to the provinces. In 1993 it was estimated that LDA owned 3,404 head and was capable of off loading 600-700 mixed head annually. [Wate (1995) suggests that in 1995 cattle numbers were around 9,500 head, while FAOSTAT data suggests 13,000].

Cattle numbers in the Western Province in 1991 were 1350, the production base being 1000 head from LDA and 300 head from the smallholder sector. The local commercial production in 1992 for the Solomon Islands was 22 tonnes of beef (Wahananiu et al, 1993), but much more is produced and absorbed by the local non-commercial market.

Table 2. Distribution of cattle by Province and Sector in 1991 (Wahananiu et al, 1993).

Since the beginning of the war in the Solomon Islands the local commercial beef production has declined considerably to less than 78 % of the previous production level. Figures for the national importation, local production and consumption of beef from 1978-1990 are given in Table 3.

*By 2006 the population is estimated to have reached 552,438 (The World Factbook)
Source: (Wahananiu et al, 1993)

Over 56 percent of the cattle are in the Central district, 20 per cent in Western district, 16 per cent in Malaita and eight per cent in the Eastern district (Wahananiu et. al, 1993). In the Solomon Islands, three production systems are recognised for beef production (Kama, 1999), and these are (1) Small holder sub-sector; (2) Intermediate communal sub-sector, and (3) Large-scale commercial/government sub-sector.

This is oriented towards subsistence and cash income. This production system is aimed at the utilization of land that is unsuitable for other uses. It makes use of excess family labour. The numbers of cattle owned in this system are often 10 or less per household. Often, the animals are tethered around backyards or around the villages to graze. The system provides some meat for the family, a source of immediate income and to meet other social obligations that may require a beast. The land holding of the smallholder sector comprises small farms of 5-50 hectares. Pasture species common in the smallholder sector are koronivia grass (Brachiaria humdicola), signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens), para grass (Brachiaria mutica), batiki grass (Ischaemum aristatum var. indicum), Pueraria phaseoloides (Puero) and Centrosema pubescens (Centro).

This is made up of commercial agricultural enterprise and administered by established communal groups on alienated and customary land. Herds of cattle often consists of 10 - 25 cattle and they make use of excess community or tribal labour. The system utilizes community or tribal land that is unsuitable for other uses. Just as in the small holder sub-sector the beasts in this system are slaughtered to provide animal protein for communal gatherings and other ceremonial activities. The land holding of the smallholder sector comprises small farms of 50-200 hectares. Pasture species common in the smallholder sector are koronivia grass (Brachiaria humdicola), signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens), para grass (Brachiaria mutica), batiki grass (Ischaemum aristatum var. indicum), Pueraria phaseoloides (Puero) and Centrosema pubescens (Centro).

This is made up of large commercial companies or government farms, e.g. Levers Solomon Limited, missions and the Livestock Development Authority (LDA). Levers Solomon Limited, Central Province, used to hold their cattle under coconuts on 3000-4000 ha on the Russell Islands [now LDA/SIG(Solomon Islands Government)] with 2000 ha on Yandina. Cattle are kept as "sweepers" to graze the native pasture. Highly skilled labour is used and cattle herd number range from 75 upwards in a herd. The large scale commercial sector grazes animals in open pasture that are improved and this system is largely used by the LDA for farms located at Lungga, Tenuvatu, Koli and 6 Mile. The indigenous legumes found in the plantations are Desmodium canum and D. heterophyllum. Patches of Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum), Pueraria phaseoloides (Puero) and Centrosema pubescens (Centro) also occur in some areas.

In 1987 a dairy cow known as the Australian Milking Zebu (AMZ), especially developed for tropical climates, was introduced to encourage milk production. The AMZ has a high milk capacity, heat tolerance and is tick resistant. It was anticipated that with artificial insemination, the AMZ would be crossbred with Friesians already present in the Solomon Islands (Douglas and Douglas, 1989), however, this did not materialise.

The dairy industry in the Solomon Islands is not as efficient as the beef sector. The production systems available however, are:

(1) smallholder sector (2) commercial/government and (3) the communal (women interest groups).

Some years ago, a herd of 40 cows was established by the government to supply the milk requirement of Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands (Freeman, 1981). The dairy industry developed slowly in the early days because at that time few Solomon Islanders drank fresh milk. This slow development persisted to the mid-1990s. Thus in 1995 (Wate, 1995) mentioned that one of the local schools owned a small dairy herd of 26 cows. However, he noted that an important development was the creation of a 150 cow commercial herd at Tenavatu and the development of 52 satellite herds within the surrounding areas through provincial women interest groups. It was intended that a processing company would be established to collect milk from local producers on a daily basis and pay smallholder groups at least weekly for their milk. At that time all milk and milk by-products were imported from either New Zealand or Australia (Wate, 1995). No information is available on subsequent developments. [Perhaps surprising is that the FAO Statistics database has dairy cattle numbers of between 1,700-2000 head and total milk production figures of between 1,300 and 1,365 Mt for the period 1995-2005].

The major dairy animals are temperate breeds such as Holstein, Jersey and others. The animals under the smallholder farmers are tethered or zero grazed or fenced in small blocks of land. However, in the Commercial/Government and the communal systems animals are confined and rotationally grazed on improved pastures. The traditional system of grazing under coconut palms is also used. Sometimes the animals receive supplements such as palm kernel meal, coconut by-products and root crops.

The development of the goat industry compared to beef cattle is very slow in spite of the fact that goats were introduced long ago (Freeman, 1981). Goat meat is not very popular amongst the population and there is very little market for it. However, the government in subsequent years has continued to encourage the introduction of goats as a part of a diversification programme in the subsistence sector.

As far back as 1981, there were 300 goats in the islands and of these about 60 were found in the Government herd at Tenavatu. This herd was built from local purchase of about 6 goats and the importation of 3 Anglo-Nubians from Australia.

At present most goats are on government properties and selected promotion farms in the provinces. In 1993 there was at Tenavatu Government farm a goat herd stabilized at 250 does and followers (Wahananiu et al, 1993). From this farm goats were being introduced to provinces via rural development centres and provincial livestock offices. Little information is available with regard to present goat numbers.

In the national development plan of the Solomon Islands, the ruminant livestock section was mandated to improve productivity in the rural areas and also to encourage private interest to sustain production at the national level. This was envisaged as a means of achieving self-sufficiency in livestock products, decreasing consumer prices by efficiencies in production and creating job and income earning opportunities in the rural sector. Therefore, the government and the big plantation owners and Lever Solomon Islands Ltd are vigorously looking at means to improve the pasture resources in the Solomon Islands.

Research Unit, Livestock Division

Ministry of Agriculture and lands,

P.O. Box G13,

Honiara,

Solomon Islands.

Livestock Development Authority

P.O. Box 525,

Honiara,

Solomon Islands.

Levers Solomon Ltd that owns many plantations is another organization involved in pasture research and development.

Levers Solomon Limited,

Honiara,

Solomon Islands

Mr. J. Wahananiu, Agriculture Division, Ministry of Agriculture and lands, P.O. Box G13, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Mr. P. Sakuman, Livestock Development Authority, P.O. Box 525, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Mr. D. Wate, Livestock Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, P.O. Box G13, Honiara, Solomon Islands.