Monday 10 December, Honiara – Cocoa farmers in Matepono, north Guadalcanal are increasing their focus on exporting as they set their sights on more production and quality come 2026 in their strive to improve the livelihoods of their communities.
With support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through the World Bank funded Solomon Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) Project, the Matepono Farmers Association was established as one of the project’s Agribusiness Producer Organisation (APBO) in Guadalcanal Province.
Treasurer of the Matepono Farmers Association, Greg Leta made known that the main aim of their association is to work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through SIART and the Guadalcanal Provincial Government to export their cocoa beans.
“This will enable our farmers to benefit greatly from their own cocoa trees which in turn will support families in our rural communities,” he said.
“The association started paying wet beans from our farmers on 17 August earlier this year. Now we are also working on building a warehouse to store cocoa beans in preparation for when we plan on start exporting,” he added.
As part of the support, SIART will also be delivering trainings for the farmers at Matepono on drying cocoa beans ensuring the quality of their cocoa beans.
The association currently has 30 households as members. There are an estimated 400 farmers in the Matepono area, both members and non-members, all of whom sell their beans to the Matepono Farmers Association.
“SIART has supported us with constructing four standard cocoa processing units which will be very beneficial for our farmers and at the same time assist us in achieving our bigger goal which is to export our cocoa beans,” Mr Leta said.
He said with one processing time the association produces up to 2,000kg of dried cocoa beans which earns them between $12,000 – $13,000 depending on the buying prize.
The main objective of SIART’s support to the Matepono Farmers Association is to increase cocoa yield per tree and overall production by the end of 2025, to construct four standard cocoa processing units and increase quantity by 10% in 2026, rehabilitate twelve hectors of existing cocoa plantations and improve quality of cocoa dried beans by 15% in 2026 through building of driers and financial literature trainings.
SIART is also supporting the Matepono Farmers Association with administration, providing support with stationaries and office equipment for the sound management of the ABPO and an $40,000 initial grant for the association to purchase wet cocoa beans from their farmers.
Support to the Matepono ABPO is delivered through four trances with a total Grant of SBD400,000 SBD while the ABPO contribution is $40,000 with payments made according to a tranche payment schedule and delivery of set activities agreed to and signed between the ABPO and SIART.
It is also encouraging to witness the women’s active involvement with their association and farming activities within the community.
Diana Nolo is one of those women, who says women in our communities are really supportive of this project because of the positive impacts it will have on families in the Matepono area.
“In terms of finance, it will really benefit us because it will support us take care of our existing cocoa trees and the return will be beneficial for our families. That is why women in our communities are actively involved with farming and are very supportive of this project,” she said.
James Kogana is also a farmer in Matepono downstream who says being a recipient of such project has been a long-time goal for their farmers and the communities.
“We are so grateful for the support from the Ministry of Agriculture through SIART for making this possible for us.
“It will improve the livelihoods of our people here in the rural area. I believe this will benefit our families and children going into the future so I’m really happy.
“It is my hope that our association will continue to work with not only our development partners but also provincial government and government to improve the lives of our people in the rural areas,” he said.
The objective of the ABPO Grants is to increase the production capacity of smallholder farmers in high-value crops, food crops, feed crops and small livestock in the project targeted areas. It will also improve the quality of, and access to, extension services in crop production, small livestock production, and animal health services.
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– SIART Media Release
