A local cocoa and coconut farmer in Solomon Islands says the funds distributed by their Members of Parliament are not reaching the local farmers in the rural areas.

Local farmer, Carlos Kesiana, from Vella Lavella, told an agriculture gathering that the people receiving the development funds do not have experience or a reputation for working in the cocoa or coconut industry.

The government has been under pressure to be more transparent, after the decision to channel development funds through the development offices of each constituency.

But some Members of Parliament say there is great concern over the corruption and bureaucracy within the Government ministries, and funds will be better applied to farmers by going through the local MPs and constituency development officers.

Mr Kesiana called on the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and other government bodies to be supportive and monitor how the funds are being spent.

 

Source: http://www.rnzi.com/