The Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) remain committed to deliver Sape Farm and Varivao
Holdings Ltd National Food Bank projects despite budget pressures brought to by Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the National Food Bank project, MAL to support the construction of pack houses as storage rooms for Cassava root
crops for Sape Farm at Ngalibiu, North Guadalcanal Plains and for Varivao Holdings Ltd at its Ranadi site.
The projects were part of the government’s initiative to support its (government) Food Security Programme in the
country. “…now we are focusing on economic recovery so will increase production to export more cassava and other root
crops this year onward,” MAL Permanent Secretary Ms Ethel Tebengi Frances said.
The PS said that “since production of cassava increased in the country, there are a lot of interests from international
buyers and so we will support our farmers to produce to that interests, so yes, a lot of exciting times ahead.”
“Implementation of the projects should have been started last year, however, due to budget limitations, it has been
reprioritized and waiting for this year’s development budget.”
Despite the slow progress as the government processes and Covid-19 pressures is concerned, MAL is devoted to deliver and
would like to thank both project recipients for their understanding and patience. MAL also conveyed its gratitude to
Sape Farm management for its partnership with Varivao Holdings Ltd for the export of cassava to Melbourne Australia last
year.
Deputy Secretary Technical of MAL, Michael Ho’ota conveyed the appreciation in a hand over ceremony of a new backhoe to
Sape farm on 5th February to maximise on productivity.
He said Sape Farm should have process its own cassava for direct export but due to delay in construction of a pack house
storage room for the farm they have to initially collaborate with Varivao Holdings for export market.
Mr. Ho’ota assured that government through MAL is remain committed and will make sure it delivers the projects this year
as soon as the 2021 national development budget is blessed and ready for implementation.
Meanwhile, Sape Farm managing Director, Dr. Paul Bosawai Popora said they are taking the alternative and partnered with
Varivao due to the pack house construction delay but thanked the government through MAL for its boundless efforts and
continuous commitment towards the growth of agriculture in the country.
He said this month (February) they are working in partnership with Varivao to process and produce 14 tonnes of cassava
for export market.
“We have potential now on the ground with more than 300 to 400 tonnes which about 400,000 kilos of cassava where
equivalent to about a value of $800,000 thousand dollars. If we go with close economics of cassava multiply by 2
annually that’s about 1.6 million and then multiply by 0.3 for government tax to improve our economy.
“So there are lots of things we are yet to do apart from what we see now on the ground,” he said.
At the same time DST, Michael Ho’ota said cassava is becoming one of the important upcoming industries in the country
adding the ministry is eyeing ways to improve it in the future.
“Initially Sape farm was established and supported by the government through MAL for food security. We were worried last
year that import of rice could be stop because of Covid-19, and so, we quickly came up with plans and develop cassava
production here (sape farm), so that if rice import affected we can still have option on stable food to ensure everyone
in town have food,” Mr. Ho’ota emphasized.
Sape Farm has expanded over the past 8 months and currently has 21 hectares of cassava and 20 hectares of potato on the
ground.