BY LIONEL TAORAO – ISLES MEDIA FREELANCHER
Copra and Cocoa farmers on Ulawa Island in the Makira/Ulawa province are finding it increasingly difficult to transport their produce to Honiara due to worsening infrastructure.
Farmers say deteriorating road conditions and the poor state of the Su’u Moli wharf in Ulawa Island have made it nearly impossible to move their products efficiently. Vehicles struggle along rough and muddy inland roads, while limited and unreliable shipping services further add to their frustration.
“Sometimes we have to wait weeks – almost a month before a ship arrives,” one local farmer said. “Even when it does, loading our copra and cocoa becomes another problem because the wharf is in a very bad state as well as the sea freights charged especially during chartered trips was expensive.”
The situation has led to significant delays in marketing and reduced income for many families who depend on copra and cocoa as their main source of livelihood to meet their family needs; mainly school fees.
Farmers are now calling on the relevant government ministries, including the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the Ministry of Rural Development, to urgently address these issues.
“Our farmers deserve better infrastructure support,” another farmer stated. “Improved roads and a proper wharf are essential for farmers to access markets and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy.”
As Ulawa farmers continue to struggle, their call for reliable transportation and shipping services highlights the need for greater investment in rural infrastructure — a step many believe is vital for boosting the local economy and improving livelihoods across the islands.
Copra and cocoa, two of Solomon Islands’ most important cash crops, continue to play a vital role in sustaining the nation’s economy.
