By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The Goshen Enterprise has taken one step up to build a closer relationship with the Besi Youth Association after signing a partnership agreement on Monday in Auki.
The signing marks a milestone achievement for the Goshen Enterprise as a taro buyer and exporter, and for the entire taro industry in Malaita Province and the Solomon Islands as a whole.
The agreement aims to act as a bridge to cover the gap between rural production and high-value markets.
In an interview with the managing director of Goshen Enterprise, Levite Luciano Maesimae, he said that partnering with the Besi Association would boost the targeted volume of taro.
“Buying of taro is still underway by Goshen Enterprise, and we have experienced that the volume we are targeting is still low. So, through this partnership agreement, it will help to achieve the targeted volume,” he said.
“The outlook of the partnership and the roles of the two organizations include;
- The Power of the Partnership
Through the agreement, it formalizes a supply-and-market relationship in which the Besi Youth Association, based in North Malaita, will provide fresh produce, while Goshen Enterprise provides the processing and pathway to consumers.
It will also provide reliable market access for the youth of Besi, as the agreement guarantees that their harvests have a dedicated destination at the Adaliua Taro Packhouse.
Additionally, it transforms subsistence farming into a commercial venture, providing a stable income for young people in Ward 7 and surrounding areas. - Goshen Enterprise: The Processing Engine
“Recently, the Adaliua packhouse has been equipped with industrial-grade washers, cutters, and sealers. The facility can now process raw taro into frozen products,” he said.
Maesimae added that, with support from Australia (DFAT) and the Solomon Islands Government, Goshen is working toward HACCP compliance, which is the gold standard required to export taro to international markets like Australia and New Zealand.
