The government of the Republic of China (ROC) or Taiwan today released more than SBD$7 million to the government of Solomon Islands to rehabilitate the country's cattle industry.

Taiwanese Ambassador, George Chan, formally announced the million dollar assistance during a brief meeting with Prime Minister Sogavare this morning.

A first trench over SBD$4 million towards the rehabilitation program was released in June this year.

Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, said the funding will enable rural dwellers to partake in development by running their own cattle projects.

He said this will improve their livelihood and boost the national economy.

Selected farmers in Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces are expected to receive their first herds of cattle from the Government in December this year.

The cattle will be distributed under the Government-initiated Solomon Islands Cattle Rehabilitation Programme.

The programme is aimed at reviving the once thriving cattle industry in the country.

The Permanent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Dr Israel Wore, earlier said that under the programme, selected farmers in the two provinces would benefit.

He said more than 700 pregnant cows will be shipped into the country from Australia.

He said the shipment should arrive by the end of November and be distributed to farmers before Christmas.