Young Entrepreneurs in Cocoa and Copra Sector Receive Boost Through MAL-CCRF Partnership

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) is empowering young agripreneurs in the Solomon Islands through a new partnership with the Young Entrepreneurs Council of Solomon Islands (YECSI) under the Cocoa and Coconut Revolving Fund (CCRF). This initiative marks a major step in supporting youth-led businesses in cocoa and copra production.

This week, MAL began signing funding agreements with the first batch of YECSI members receiving support under the CCRF. The signing ceremony, held at MAL Headquarters, was witnessed by CCRF Secretariat officials, Deputy Secretary – Special Duties Mr. Simon Baete, and Deputy Secretary – Technical Mr. Michael Ho’ota.

Congratulating the young recipients, Mr. Baete encouraged them to maximize the opportunity, highlighting its potential to strengthen youth participation in agriculture.

First YECSI CCRF Recipients Include:

·         Willie Yates, SOL FRESH PRODUCTS LTD, Henderson – Cocoa, $150,000

·    Creina Desonia Tapalaboe, LEXCRE ENTERPRISE COMPANY LTD, North Guadalcanal – Cocoa, $50,000

·   Blessed Tavi Peni, SEANUT TRADERS ENTERPRISE, Western Province – Copra, $50,000

YECSI expressed gratitude to MAL for this landmark youth-focused initiative and acknowledged the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) for introducing the CCRF program.

Established in 2018, YECSI has grown from 31 members in June 2024 to 127 members in August 2025, with at least 14 actively engaged in agriculture.

The CCRF partnership highlights MAL’s commitment to fostering youth-led agribusiness, supporting economic growth, and ensuring the sustainability of the cocoa and coconut sectors.

MAL’s CCRF Secretariat reminded all recipients that monthly repayments under the CCRF grant agreements are now due.

Timely repayments are essential to keep the program sustainable and available for future young entrepreneurs.

The Secretariat stressed that the agreements are legally binding, and failure to comply may result in legal action.

“The CCRF is designed to support our farmers while ensuring the long-term sustainability of cocoa and coconut production in the Solomon Islands. We encourage all youth recipients to meet their repayment obligations and help the program thrive for future generations,” said the CCRF Secretariat.

Media Release | MAL

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