From starting with bush-knives to a multi-million-dollar pack-house

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From starting with bush-knives to a multi-million-dollar Pack-house, the story of Sape Farm’s transformation

From a humble start in 2017 with just five bush knives amongst its assets, Sape Farm has transformed drastically and today sees the opening of the country’s first pack-house—enabling direct export of its cassava to Australia.

Today’s occasion was truly historic and also emotional to the founder and MP for North Guadalcanal Dr. Paul Popora Bosawai.

Immense joy in witnessing the culmination of the reality of his dream, but profound sadness at the absence of his brothers and close relatives, who shared his vision and dedication but did not live to see this milestone.

Despite that coupled with the financial demand, Bosawai pressed on.

He revealed that with the opening of the packhouse, it has cost $9.7m, with his own company contributing $4.3m and additional support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Strongim Business and ECAT (Enhanced Capacity for Agriculture Trade) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He also confirms that work will start straightaway.

“After the launching, we will set up the safety standards, recruit workers and start buying cassava,” said Dr Bosawai who is also the Minister of Health and Medical Services.

Sape Farm, which has already secured a buyer in Australia will be purchasing cassava at SBD$3.50 a kilo.

Bosawai is appealing to farmers in his area to register their interest with him so that they would start buying cassava from them.

“You give us cassava tubers, we give you money,” Bosawai said.

The pack house, is fitted with required machines built to required international standard for cold storage of -18 degree as mandatory for export. The packhouse can also produce top grated tuber cassava for domestic use, for instance, cassava cake.

Bosawai mentioned the momentum to build the packhouse to reality started in 2020. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Franklyn Derek Wasi said the occasion represents more than the unveiling of a building.

“It is a defining movement in our journey towards agricultural transformation,” said Wasi, who was the guest of honour.

Wasi added this is a testament to what “we can accomplish when the government, private enterprise and the rural community unite under a common vision.”

He said the celebration is not only about hard work, resilient but long-term thinking made it possible.

Wasi said the greatest impact of the project lies in its power to transform lives.

According to the minister, the Sape Farm packhouse will produce three flagship products, frozen cassava tuber for export, grated cassava for the regional market, cassava flavour for local consumption and there is a plan underway for cassava noodles.