RMI - Ministry of Natural Resources & Commerce - Agriculture & Forestry

We are truly proud that our Invasive Species Coordinator, Mr. Byrelson Jacklick, has been awarded as the 2025 Pacific Invasive Species Battler of the Year! With over a decade of experience, Byrelson has been at the forefront in combat with invasive species, possessing the necessary skills to ensure the safeguard of our natural resources. Jerammon elap im Kommool tata, Byrelson Jacklick!

In late March of 2026, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce had the pleasure of receiving eight students from the Life Skills Academy for their Practicum Program: Nathan Daniel, Simba Kaious, Jine Aine, Will Joseph, Rosina Langeo, Sera Jeur, Neila Lakmij, and Nertha Noah. Ever since the Ministry started hosting Practicum students from LSA in 2020, this is the first time we’ve had this many students. Therefore, they were divided to two groups of four. Up until earlier this month, the interns worked closely with the following divisions:
Division of Agriculture: nursery management, crop propagation, field/garden preparation and composting
Division of Quarantine: border security, pest & disease management, pest identification and CRB sanitation
Division of Forestry: tree propagation methods, agroforestry management and production, coastal planting and nature-based solutions
Taiwan Technical Mission: horticulture, livestock management and production, food nutrition and health
The Ministry wishes to acknowledge and thank the division staff and our partners at the TTM for building our interns’ capacities during the 8 weeks. We would also like to congratulate the interns for completing their Practicum Program and wish them all the best in the next chapter of their lives following their graduation next month. Jerammon im Kommool tata!

[KAJIN MAJOL]
Division eo an Agriculture rekar jino ejaak e Demonstration Garden e ilo maan in office eo ilo Delap jen kar jemlok in January eo ilo iio in. Ewor ien rijerbal ro rej bwebwenato ibben armej ro im rej kwalok aer itok limo ilo ekkat, botaab ejabwe jikin/bwidej nan aer ejaak jikin aer kallip. Kon meniin, Division eo rekar konaan kommane Demonstration Garden in nan kwalok ke mekarta ejjab kanoij in lap belaak in mweo mom, kwoj maron wot ekkat. Errein ej jet waanjonok ko kwomaron loor i. Aolep im ruwainene nan itok im alooj e atake in im kwon jujen jeer tok nan nursery e im ebbok am ine ilo ejjelok wonaan Thursday im Friday! Jekonaan kile im kammolol e MAWC, Koos im MWIU kon jiban ko aer nan kein jerbal kein.

[ENGLISH]
The Division of Agriculture have been working on a Demonstration Garden in our newly-paved parking lot since late January. Our staff often hear from community members (particularly in urban areas) that they would like to start their own gardens, but do not have the space. Therefore, the Division established this Demonstration Garden to show community members that anyone can start a garden despite having very little space. Here are some examples/methods you can apply to your own area. You are most welcome to come take a look and then pick up some free seedlings from our nurseries on Thursdays and Fridays. We wish to acknowledge and thank MAWC, Koos and MWIU for their support in setting up this garden.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce received a courtesy visit from the Pacific Community (SPC) Director General, Dr. Paula Vivili. Dr. Vivili and members of the SPC delegation shared with the Honorable Minister, Anthony Muller and staff about ongoing as well as new projects under the new Country Programme. These new activities under the CP are aimed to address all the priorities and challenges in the various sectors, which were addressed to the SPC during the CP consultations earlier this year. Minister Muller expressed his appreciation to Dr. Vivili and the SPC for their ongoing support to the RMI and particularly in the Food Security and Agroforestry Sector. Kommool tata Dr. Vivili and the delegation for coming to the RMI and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for facilitating the courtesy visit.

Iakwe!

[KAJIN MAJOL]
Ne kwoj konaan bok kwonaam ainwot juon vendor ilo raan eo an World Food Day ilo Saturday, October 18, 2025, jouj im scan e QR code ne im register nejab kajerbal link io: https://forms.gle/a2ypb1TjJjShZLni6

[ENGLISH]
We are pleased to announce that registration is open for those interested to being vendors for the upcoming World Food Day event on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Please scan the QR code or register through this link: https://forms.gle/a2ypb1TjJjShZLni6

On Thursday, October 9, 2025, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce (MNRC), in collaboration with the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM), hosted the groundbreaking ceremony of new infrastructure that is to be built at the old poultry farm facility in Jeirok, Laura. The infrastructure includes a new office/warehouse complex, a new dormitory for incoming staff and a new Pig Slaughterhouse, which was the main component of the event.
This new slaughterhouse serves as a means to food security by reducing the reliance on imported pork meat and increase local production of fresh pork. Local farmers will be prioritized in terms of supplying pigs to the slaughterhouse. Mr. Hank Liu, Charge d’Affaires of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Embassy, stated that the “joint groundbreaking ceremony demonstrates the spirit of mutual support and cooperation between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands.” Minister Muller expressed his deepest appreciation to the ROC and partners for their dedication and collaboration in making the slaughterhouse a reality. He stated that “this groundbreaking is not just about a building or an infrastructure – it is about investing in people, strengthening livelihoods, and preparing a better future for the next generation.”

On Thursday, October 9, 2025, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce (MNRC) hosted the handover ceremony of the new “state-of-the-art” x-ray machine at the Amata Kabua International Airport (AKIA). The machine will allow Customs and Quarantine Officers to scan all passenger luggage for biosecurity risks, safeguarding our natural resources by preventing the entry of pests and diseases that can threaten our livelihoods and communities. The procurement of this equipment was made possible with the monetary and technical support of the European Union (EU) through the Pacific Community’s (SPC) under the SAFE Project, which is the Safe Agriculture trade Facilitation through Economic integration in the Pacific.
The Ambassador of the EU to the Pacific, H.E. Barbara Plinkert, handed over the equipment to the Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce, the Honorable Tony Muller. Ambassador Plinkert stated that this new x-ray machine is a “tangible example of our commitment to regional resilience, safe travel, and protecting Pacific biodiversity” and “ensuring that trade can continue safely and sustainably.” Minister Muller extended his sincere appreciation to the EU and the SAFE Pacific program for their generous support. He remarked that “these investments build local capacity, strengthen our institutions and contribute to safer trade, stronger livelihoods and greater resilience for our communities.”

Iakwe! The Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce and the planning committee is pleased to announce this year's World Food Day Official Opening and Day Market. We look forward to seeing you there!