BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The long-envisioned dream of Goshen Enterprise Limited to export local taro products to international markets is now in reach.
This is following the arrival of taro processing machineries at its Taro Packhouse at Adaliua near Auki town, which will enable them to process taro products for markets.
The development has marked a step forward in its vision to achieve the ultimate goals of the project. That is to trade in international markets.
A projection the Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele, who was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) under the DCGA government, when the Taro Packhouse was handed over in 2023, was also envisioned for the project.
“I’m confident, through this project initiative, Malaita province is well positioned to be the country’s export hub for taro, like Soltuna in Western Province, if the right kind of support and synergy is put into developing this agriculture product,” he said.
Manele said taro is grown everywhere and Malaita has the fertile land and the manpower to do it. The different varieties of taro that are grown here can be cultivated by every individual and family in their own piece of land.
“I would like to encourage local farmers go into taro farming and increase production so that Solomon Islands can get a share of taro export in the regional markets,” he said.
The current Deputy Premier of Malaita province, Hon Randol Sifoni, who was the acting premier under the Martin Fini led New Malaita Government for Fundamental Reforms, when the Adaliua Taro Pack House was handed in 2023, voiced similar sentiments.
He said the Taro Pack House will provide an avenue that can create a stable market outlet for taro farmers by sourcing the produces to markets nationally and in the longer term internationally.
And urged that production of the Taro crop must be at heart to meet the market demands both locally and internationally.
A statement from Goshen Enterprise Limited highlighted that the new processing capabilities bring Goshen one step closer to its long-term goal of exporting taro products overseas.
It added the industrial equipment and increased capacity will allow the company to produce higher volumes of consistently processed taro, meeting the stringent quality and safety standards required for international markets.
The statement continued while a commercial cool room is still needed for proper cold chain storage and export conditions, the current use of chest freezers will support immediate production goals.
It said Goshen is actively working with partners like the Ministry of Commerce and Strongim Bisnis to complete all necessary upgrades and achieve HACCP compliance.
The statement furthered that the success of the Adaliua Packhouse is a testament to the strong partnerships driving the agricultural sector in the Solomon Islands.
It said with support from the Solomon Islands government, Australian aid, and various donor programs, Goshen Enterprise is creating jobs, empowering local farmers, and paving the way for a more robust and sustainable taro industry in Malaita.
The statement stated as the taro buying recommences next week, farmers and consumers alike can look forward to a new era of growth and prosperity.