Multi-Million-Dollar Pack-House: The Inspiring Journey of Sape Farm

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BY JOY OFASIA

In 2017, Sape Farm had nothing more than five bush knives, a patch of land, and a big dream. Today, that dream has become a reality, with the official opening of the Solomon Islands’ first-ever cassava export pack-house—a facility worth $9.7 million.

Indeed, from a few bush knives to an international export operation, Sape Farm’s story is one of resilience, vision, and community.

The man behind it all, Dr. Paul Popora Bosawai, stood visibly emotional during the ceremony. A farmer at heart and now the Minister of Health and Medical Services, Bosawai is also the MP for North Guadalcanal. For him, the opening was both a triumph and a tribute.

Dr. Paul Popora Bosawai, the Minister of Health and Medical Services, is also the MP for North Guadalcanal.

“I am filled with joy, but my heart is heavy,” Dr. Bosawai said. “Many of the people who helped build this dream—including my brothers—did not live to see this day.”

Despite personal loss and financial hurdles, Dr. Bosawai remained committed. His company poured $4.3 million into the project, with additional support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Strongim Business, and ECAT (Enhanced Capacity for Agriculture Trade) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The new Sape Packhouse, a state-of-the-art facility designed to help local farmers process and export fresh produce like cassava.

The pack-house meets strict international standards, with a -18°C cold storage facility essential for cassava exports. It will also process cassava for local markets, making grated tubers for products like cassava cake.

Dr. Bosawai said operations would begin immediately.

“After the launching, we will set up the safety standards, recruit workers, and start buying cassava,” he explained. “You give us cassava tubers, we give you money.”

Sape Farm has already locked in a buyer in Australia and will purchase cassava at SBD$3.50 per kilogram. Farmers in the area are being encouraged to register with the farm.

North Guadalcanal’s Sape Farm.

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Franklyn Derek Wasi, who officiated the event, praised the achievement.

“It is a defining moment in our journey towards agricultural transformation,” he said. “This is what we can achieve when government, private enterprise, and the rural community unite under a shared vision.”

Wasi added that beyond infrastructure, the real power of the project lies in its potential to transform lives.

The machines inside of the Solomon Islands’ first-ever cassava export pack-house—a facility worth $9.7 million.

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