SIART Project supports agribusiness producer organisations to boost cocoa production and farmer livelihoods in Makira/Ulawa
Agribusiness Producer Organisations (ABPOs) in Makira/Ulawa Province are progressing with the implementation of activities across key commodities under the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation (SIART) Project.
The project, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and funded by the World Bank, aims to improve livelihoods for smallholder farmers by increasing agricultural productivity and strengthening agribusiness development.
SIART works with rural farmer groups organised as ABPOs and provides support through grants, equipment, and training. A SIART team recently visited Kirakira, the provincial capital of Makira/Ulawa Province, where they met with several ABPOs and observed progress in project implementation.
Current activities include the procurement of tools, equipment, and materials; construction of processing facilities; farm rehabilitation; rollout of ABPO training programmes; and the use of revolving funds to support product purchasing and marketing.
In Nukukaisi, a Tikopian village in West Bauro, two ABPOs are operating, including the Vaimatesa Savings and Producer Group. Although their SIART-funded processing facility is still under construction, the group is already using its revolving fund to purchase wet cocoa beans from members and nearby communities. The beans are processed using an existing drier that has been rehabilitated under the project.
Chairperson of the Vaimatesa Savings and Producer Group, Joseph Rangisiria, said the wet beans are fermented, dried, and shipped to a buyer in Honiara.
“With the money earned, we purchase more wet beans and continue to provide this service to our members and the wider community,” he said.
The group currently has 32 member households. According to Mr Rangisiria, during peak harvest periods the group ships between 25 and 30 bags of dried cocoa beans per month.
“We spend close to SBD70,000 on purchasing wet beans, labour, and transport, and earn around SBD100,000 to SBD120,000 from monthly production,” he said.
“Members are paid for their labour, and wet beans are purchased from both members and non-members. Profits are reinvested into the savings club based on each member’s contribution, with the remainder used to purchase more beans to sustain operations.”
In Haurau village, Arosi, the Igau Cocoa Producers Association is also receiving support under SIART. Chairperson Hardy Russell said the association is constructing a processing facility, nursery greenhouse, and storage facilities, which will benefit 40 member households.
“With the support from SIART through infrastructure, training, and tools, we will be able to improve the quality of our cocoa and increase production, which will benefit our members through improved financial returns,” Mr Russell said.
While awaiting completion of the infrastructure, the association is already using its revolving fund to purchase wet beans from members and non-members.
“We are currently operating on a small scale using an existing drier. Even so, we are able to produce seven bags per production cycle, spending close to SBD15,000 on wet bean purchases,” he said.
The Igau Cocoa Producers Association is supported by Community Resource Person (CRP) Mr Ambrose Havi, an experienced agriculturist who previously served as an Agriculture Extension Officer for 11 years and as an agriculture teacher at Waimapuru National Secondary School for 25 years.
Mr Havi said the association is actively implementing its activities in line with project timelines.
“I support this project because it provides a practical approach to strengthening smallholder farmer associations in rural areas. Strengthening rural agriculture is important, and this project supports that objective,” he said.
“I am pleased to share my experience and knowledge with members and farmers from surrounding communities.”
A total of 19 ABPOs in Makira/Ulawa Province are supported under the SIART Project, representing an investment of SBD6.1 million in the province’s agriculture sector. This includes nine cocoa ABPOs with an investment of SBD3.14 million, seven coconut ABPOs with an investment of SBD2.30 million, as well as one honey project and one small piggery project.
SIART aims to increase agricultural production and improve market access in selected value chains in Guadalcanal, Malaita, and Makira/Ulawa provinces. The project focuses on improving infrastructure, supporting crop and livestock production, promoting innovation, strengthening institutional capacity within MAL, and includes a contingency mechanism to respond to natural disasters.
SOURCE : SIART
