IN the fertile farmlands of Ranongga in the Western Province, 45-year-old Beven Hali found an innovative way to turn his passion for farming into a thriving business.
As the man behind the popular Chili Tuna Flakes a famous product from SolTuna Company in Noro, Hali is a proof that local farmers can achieve financial success by adding value to their products.
In an interview with Solomon Star a week ago, he shared his journey of harvesting chili fruit and developing a sought-after product that has become a local favourite.
His agricultural journey began with the growing and harvesting of chili, which he initially sold to the SolTuna factory in Noro.
“We would harvest the tomatoes, dry them locally and then sell them to SolTuna,” he recalled.
However, the financial returns were not as rewarding as he had hoped.
“In 2010, Noro SolTuna engaged me to supply chili fruits. They would come over and buy from us regularly,” he explained.
Despite this business relationship, the price offered for his produce was not attractive.
“For years, we supplied SolTuna, but the price they set was only $80 per kilo. The manpower and hard work we put into farming made it difficult to continue at that price.”
As a result, he and his fellow farmers decided to halt their supply of chili fruits to SolTuna, focusing instead on alternative ways to generate income.
In 2023, SolTuna returned with a better offer – $150 per kilo of chili fruits. This encouraged him to resume supplying his chili fruits to the factory.
But by then, he had also developed a new business idea, one that would maximise his profits, whilst offering a unique product to consumers.
“With some creative thinking, I started exploring ways to add value to my chili fruits. That’s when I decided to extract the product into dried chili powder,” the father of three children said.
This innovative step marked the birth of his packaged chili powder, which are now selling at the Gizo Market.
By drying and processing the chili himself, Hali is able to package and sell the product directly to consumers.
The result is more of a profitable venture.
“A kilo of chili fruits, when sold in bulk, brings in about $150. But when I packaged them into small packets, I can make over $430 as I sell each packet for $15,” he said.
This shift from simply supplying a raw product to creating a value-added product has transformed Ali’s business.
His Chilli Tuna Flakes ingredients are well-known amongst locals as they provide a hot spice addition for their meals.
Hali’s success highlights the potential for small-scale farmers in Solomon Islands to benefit from value-added products.
By processing raw materials into finished goods, farmers can increase their earnings and reduce dependency on large buyers who often pay for their raw products at very low prices.
Despite the challenges of farming, he remains passionate about his work and hopes to inspire others to follow suit.
“Farming is not easy, but with the right approach, it can be rewarding,” he said.
As his business continues to grow, Ali is eager to explore new opportunities, including expanding his product line to reach a wider market.
“I believe that with hard work and innovation, we can turn our local produce into something valuable,” he said.
Besides selling chili powder, he also sells tomatoes, cucumbers, egg plants and other vegetables.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
