The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) is pleased to partner with Young Entrepreneurs Council of Solomon Islands YECSI through the ministry’s Cocoa and Coconut Revolving Fund (CCRF), marking a significant milestone in youth participation in the agriculture sector.
The partnership came into fruition last week when MAL commenced signing funding support agreements with the first batch of YECSI member recipients under the CCRF.
The signing ceremony took place at MAL Headquarters, witnessed by the CCRF Secretariat, Deputy Secretary – Special Duties, Mr. Simon Baete, and Deputy Secretary – Technical, Mr. Michael Ho’ota.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Baete congratulated the young recipients and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity, stressing its potential to strengthen their role in the agriculture industry.
First YECSI CCRF Recipients:
| Recipient Name | Project Name | Location | Product | CCRF Grant Amount |
| Willie Yates | SOL FRESH PRODUCTS LTD | Henderson | Cocoa | $150,000.00 |
| Creina Desonia Tapalaboe | LEXCRE ENTERPRISE COMPANY LTD | North Guadalcanal | Cocoa | $50,000.00 |
| Blessed Tavi Peni | SEANUT TRADERS ENTERPRISE | Western Province | Copra | $50,000.00 |
YECSI expressed deep appreciation to MAL for this landmark support initiative — the first of its kind aimed specifically at empowering its members engaged in cocoa and copra production. The organisation also acknowledged the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) for initiating the CCRF program.
YECSI, a membership-driven organisation established in 2018 through a public-private partnership, has experienced remarkable growth — expanding from just 31 members in June 2024 to 127 members as of August 2025, with 14 and growing actively engaged in agriculture.
The CCRF partnership with YECSI demonstrates MAL’s commitment to supporting youth-led agribusinesses, fostering economic growth, and strengthening the sustainability of the cocoa and coconut sectors.
Meanwhile, MALs CCRF Secretariat is reminding all recipients of the Cocoa & Coconut Revolving Fund (CCRF) under Expression of Interest (EOI) Call One that the first monthly soft loan repayment is now due.
Under the terms of the signed grant agreements, recipients are required to begin monthly interest repayments immediately. All payments must be made to the MAL Development Account, in accordance with the repayment arrangements agreed upon at the time of funding approval.
MAL emphasizes that the grant agreement is a legally binding document. Recipients who fail to meet their repayment obligations risk legal action being taken to recover any outstanding amounts.
“The CCRF is designed to support our farmers while ensuring the sustainability of cocoa and coconut production in Solomon Islands. Timely repayments are essential to keep the program viable and available for future participants,” the Ministry’s CCRF Secretariat said.
The Ministry urges all CCRF recipients to fulfil their commitments promptly to contribute to the ongoing success and sustainability of the program.
– MAL Press
