A new partnership between Australia and JCS Enterprise will expand cocoa sourcing and market access for farmers in Northeast Guadalcanal.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Rod Hilton, welcomed the collaboration with JCS Enterprise.
“This partnership is creating reliable markets for farmers, creating more local jobs, and enabling Solomon Islands cocoa to reach its full export potential,” High Commissioner Hilton said.
Through this partnership, Australia will help JCS Enterprise pursue financing for a vehicle suited to the rough terrain in cocoa-growing areas east of the Bokokimbo River.
The partnership will also upgrade JCS’s cocoa storage capacity and sourcing operations to improve cocoa quality, and enable consistent buying from remote plantations in areas such as Ghombua, Ruavatu, Bikuvite, Geza, and Aola.
These improvements are expected to position the business to successfully access commercial finance.
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi commended the initiative, which he noted aligns with national priorities to strengthen agribusiness development.
“This partnership with Australia and JCS Enterprise directly supports our goals to empower rural farmers and promote inclusive economic growth in the cocoa industry,” Minister Wasi said.
“We welcome this kind of collaboration that helps improve access to markets and boosts incomes for communities.”
Jerry Sukulu, General Manager of JCS Enterprise, said the partnership would make a real difference.
“This support means we can reach more farmers, buy more cocoa, and reduce our transport costs. It will help us grow our business and ensure that farmers in hard-to-reach areas don’t miss out,” Sukulu said.
This collaboration is part of Australia’s broader efforts to support inclusive private sector development in Solomon Islands, with a focus on improving livelihoods and economic resilience across rural communities.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock operates the Cocoa and Coconut Revolving Fund (CCRF), a flagship initiative designed to empower farmers and agri-entrepreneurs through accessible financing for cocoa and coconut production, processing, and marketing.
This model complements partnerships like the one with JCS Enterprise by addressing shared challenges in logistics and market access.