In the heart of the Solomon Islands, where agriculture provides livelihood to the majority and contributes a third of the country’s GDP, thrives one of its most remarkable businesses – Varivao Holdings. Established in the late 80s by entrepreneur Duddley Longamei, this multifaceted company ventured from running retail stores to the export of cocoa and coffee, bringing the rich bounty of the Solomon Islands to international markets.
However, the jewel in Varivao’s crown is its root crop export business, connecting remote villages with international buyers, turning the fertile soil underfoot into a pathway of opportunity. Yams, taros, cassava, sweet potato, Duruka, each painstakingly cultivated on the country’s limited arable land, find their way from the islands across the globe.
Yet this growth was not a solitary journey. In 2017, the Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia, through its Impact Support Program (ISP), began its collaboration with Varivao. The provision of numerous pieces of equipment, including several commercial sized tables, stainless steel sinks, washing machine, trays and a sealing machine, were the first steps of many in PTI's endeavour to support and enhance Varivao’s capabilities.
“I trust and hope these pieces of equipment will greatly increase our efficiency in production and maintain quality assurance to meet export standards,” remarked Dudley Longamei at the time of the provision. And indeed, the new additions brought about a significant improvement in the business operations.
2023 soon saw PTI Australia’s General Manager of Exports, Jeremy Grennell, introduce Varivao to potential root crop buyers, marking the beginning of a new era for the company. Under the leadership of Benjamin Hageria, the current General Manager, Varivao now stands at the vanguard of Solomon Islands’ export industry, tapping into the Australian market, and further expanding its influence.
Mr. Hageria notes, "Our partnership with PTI Australia has been instrumental in our journey. It has provided us the necessary support, allowing us to foster a deeper connection between the local farmers of the Guadalcanal plain areas, the Solomon Islands region and international markets.”
Although Varivao's ventures extend beyond root crops to cocoa, coffee, kava products, mobile banking, and accommodation services, the story of its root crop business underscores its commitment to economic growth and rural upliftment in the Solomon Islands.
Their success story was nationally recognised when Varivao Holdings received the 'Prime Ministers award' and 'Entrepreneur of the Year - 2016' accolade. The awards were more than just validation of their efforts. They symbolised the possibility of what local businesses can achieve, even when faced with limited resources and challenging terrain.
From humble beginnings to becoming one of the country's top businesses, Varivao Holdings’ journey is one of ambition, innovation, and unyielding determination. It serves as a testament to what can be achieved when local knowledge is coupled with the right support. It is in this success that PTI Australia finds immense pride in having contributed to a chapter in the Pacific's business success story.
For more information regarding Pacific exports to the Australian market, reach out to the PTI Australia team here.
