Simon Baete is sworn in as MALD Permanent Secretary, bringing 18 years of agriculture sector experience to the role.
Simon Baete has been sworn in as the new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) during a ceremony at Government House today.
He was sworn into office by the Governor-General, His Excellency Sir David Tiva Kapu.
Mr. Baete is an experienced Agri-business expert and public-sector leader with approximately 18 years of experience in the agriculture sector, having served in various technical, managerial, policy development, and leadership roles since 2008.
He served as Deputy Secretary for Special Duties at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) from June 2024 until his swearing in as Permanent Secretary today.
His responsibilities include overseeing capital development projects, coordinating government and donor-funded programmes, strengthening ministerial performance systems, and leading agricultural policy development.
In 2026, he led the formulation and technical development of the Agriculture Development Plan 2026–2030.
Mr. Baete holds a Master of Agri-Commerce, majoring in Agribusiness and Development Management, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Agri-Commerce from Massey University, New Zealand. He also holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from the University of the South Pacific, Samoa.
His professional career includes serving as a Project Specialist with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Project Manager for the Livelihood Sector at Save the Children International, and Agribusiness Partnership and Grant Manager under the Solomon Islands Rural Development Program, supported by the World Bank.
Earlier, he served as Deputy Director of Livestock and Veterinary Service at MALD, contributing to livestock policy development, sector planning, and biosecurity legislation.
Mr. Baete’s appointment brings extensive technical expertise, institutional knowledge, and leadership experience to the Ministry as it works to strengthen agriculture, improve rural livelihoods, enhance food security, and advance sustainable agricultural development across the Solomon Islands.
MALD Press Release
