The Alisuri Livelihood Association in West Baelelea, North Malaita made up of youths have earned SBD $76,000 last week alone from selling their cocoa produce in Auki.
This was revealed by the President of the Malaita Provincial Youth Council, Philip Subu.
Because of this success story he had issued a heartfelt appeal to all unemployed youths in urban areas to return to their home villages and invest in sustainable agriculture, particularly cocoa farming and root crop cultivation.
“I’ve been in Auki over the past few days and witnessed several young people coming into town to sell their dried cocoa beans.
“The amount of money they earned was far beyond my expectations,” Mr. Subu said.
He highlighted the Alisuri group’s achievement as a shining example of youth-led progress in agriculture.
“The Alisuri youths earned $76,000 alone. That’s incredibly encouraging for a rural community,” he said.
Founded in 2020, the Alisuri Livelihood Association has steadily grown through initiatives such as cocoa rehabilitation and tree planting.
The group remains committed to building a sustainable future through agriculture.
Mr. Subu urged young people across the province to follow this model and stay engaged in productive activities that will benefit their communities and help them avoid anti-social behaviour.
“This is a crucial time for young people to focus on productivity and building their futures,” he said.
According to a 2023 World Bank report, the youth unemployment rate for individuals aged 15–24 in the Solomon Islands was officially recorded at 3.00%, a slight improvement from 3.02% in 2022.
However, this contrasts sharply with the widely circulated but unofficial estimate of 87%.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
Solomon Star, Auki
