Western Province, first to roll out CCRF
BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
WESTERN Province is set to implement the Coconut and Cocoa Revolving Fund (CCRF), a financial support scheme created by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) to boost the country’s coconut and cocoa sector.
In an interview with Island Sun, Agriculture Field Officer for Western Province, Sipuru Rove said the Western Provincial Government (WPG) has signed an Agency Agreement with MAL to establish a legal arrangement to channel other funds for agriculture development in the provinces.
He said the agreement now clears the way for the release of funds and the start of implementation phase with Western Province being the first province in the country to carry out this initiative.
Rove said 12 out of 16 applicants have successfully met the criteria to receive funding under the scheme.
He said 11 farmers will be supported to purchase coconut while one will receive support to buy cocoa.
Rove explained that the selection follows a rigorous process involving application distribution, collection, technical assessments and screening.
“Recipients are selected according to a certain criteria, three of which are: applicants must be an existing buyer, must have a proper shed, and must have the ability to repay the loan.
“We also ensured fairness so the recipients are distributed according to wards,” he added.
Rove said successful recipients will be given a two-month grace period before loan repayments begin.
He expressed gratitude to MAL and the Western Provincial Government for prioritising the fund.
“I want to acknowledge MAL – the Permanent Secretary, Samson Viulu, the Minister, and the Premier of Western Province for prioritising this project. My office is looking forward to receiving and implementing the fund according to its purpose,” Rove said.
However, he also mentioned that flagged shipping challenges remain a major barrier for farmers, particularly those on remote islands within the province.
“Shipping service has been an ongoing challenge for most coconut and cocoa farmers in Western Province. This will also be one of the challenges that may hinder the successful implementation of the CCRF,” Rove said.
He recommends that the government and potential investors consider setting up a processing and logistics facility in Noro, which he believes will bring services closer to farmers and strengthen the sector.
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