LocationsDiversifying Livelihoods: Value-Added Products Open New Income Streams for Rural Households
October 14, 2025
Gizo, Solomon Islands - In the heart of the Western Province, a transformative initiative unfolded among market vendors and rural farmers. Through targeted training led by the Gizo Market Vendors Association, participants acquired practical skills to convert everyday crops into high-value products that can boost household income and reduce waste. Crops such as cassava, turmeric, banana, coconut, pawpaw, watermelon, pineapple, and ginger—once sold raw or left to spoil—are now being processed into market-ready items like flour, chips, jams, and baked goods.
This initiative goes beyond skill-building; it empowers rural families to diversify their livelihoods, build resilience, and access new markets including schools, supermarkets, village canteens, and the Gizo Municipal Market.
The range of value-added products developed during the training is both impressive and reflective of creativity and market potential. Participants learnt to produce cassava and banana flour for baking, turmeric and ginger powder for cooking and health-conscious consumers, and instant ginger tea for convenience. They also created fruit-based items such as watermelon and pineapple cordials, pawpaw and coconut jams, and virgin coconut oil. For snacks and bakery options, sweet banana chips, cassava cakes, buns, and pancakes were introduced. These products not only extend the shelf life of local produce but also open up secondary income streams that support household needs and community development.
The four-day training equipped thirty participants (27 women and 3 men)—rural market vendors and farmers—with the tools to cascade knowledge throughout their communities. With support from M4C, IFAD, and JP RWEE, the programme emphasised food processing, packaging, and business development. The goal: to help families diversify their income sources by creating products that can be sold at Gizo Market, supplied to supermarkets, and distributed to schools and village canteens.
Products produced by the participants.
Products produced by the participants.
Participants learnt to produce cassava flour for gluten-free cooking, turmeric flour for health-conscious consumers, and banana flour for nutritious snacks. These products not only extend the shelf life of local produce but also tap into growing market trends. By reducing post-harvest waste and adding value to traditional crops, families can generate secondary income streams that support education, healthcare, and daily expenses.
Vendors gained practical knowledge on hygiene standards, safe food handling, and the steps needed to obtain formal licences for food-based businesses. With hands-on demonstrations in sterilisation, handwashing, and packaging, participants were empowered to meet regulatory standards and ensure their products are safe for public consumption. The licensing process was demystified through real-life examples, making it more accessible and achievable for small-scale producers.
Supported by the M4C Project, IFAD, and JP RWEE, the training also focused on food value addition, packaging, and business development for rural women farmers. By promoting the use of local crops like cassava, turmeric, and banana, the programme helps reduce waste and create market-ready products. Through hands-on sessions, participants practised preservation techniques, labelling, and cooking with these ingredients in pancakes, cakes, and bread—unlocking new possibilities for income generation and household resilience.
Diana Lave.
Diana Lave from Sausama, a first-time participant and beneficiary of IFAD and Kustam Garden, expressed his enthusiasm after gaining hands-on experience in making jam, chutney, and virgin coconut oil:
“This training opened my eyes to new ways of using what we already grow. I never thought I could turn coconuts and fruits into products that people would want to buy.”
Gwen Kiko.
Gwen Kiko from Vonunu, also a beneficiary of IFAD and Kustam Garden, reflected on the broader impact of the training:
“It’s not just about learning recipes—it’s about building a business. I now understand how packaging and food safety can help me reach more customers.”
Julie Mesepitu.
Julie Mesepitu, another participant from Vonunu, found the sessions particularly inspiring:
“This training has given me ideas on what to do, especially to add value. I’m excited to try making banana flour and start selling to schools and canteens in my area.”
Banana chips.
Reflections from the participants strongly indicate the training’s practical impact and its potential to transform livelihoods. Their testimonials reflect a deep sense of empowerment, creativity, and readiness to apply new skills in real-world settings—from making jam and virgin coconut oil to exploring flour-based products for schools, markets, and supermarkets.
This also signals growing confidence among rural farmers and market vendors to diversify their income streams, reduce waste, and build sustainable food businesses. The enthusiasm and ideas shared by participants like Frank, Gwen, and Julie show that value addition is not just a concept but a community-driven initiative towards economic resilience and independence.
Markets for Change (M4C) is a regional initiative aimed at improving the economic security and working conditions of women market vendors in Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. M4C focuses on strengthening market infrastructure, vendor capacity, and gender equality to create more sustainable and inclusive marketplaces.
The M4C project is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and with support from the Government of Australia.
JP RWEE Phase II is a global initiative implemented in Niger, Nepal, Tunisia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Pacific Islands (Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Tonga). Its overarching goal is to secure rural women’s livelihoods, rights, and resilience in the context of sustainable development. The programme is jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and the World Food Programme (WFP), and supported by Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland, through the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) and the Gates Foundation.
For more information, please contact:
Jilgina Kimisi, Markets for Change Project Associate, Solomon Islands (E) jilgina.kimisi@undp.org or
Vilisi Veibataki, Markets for Change Project Manager, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji (E) vilisi.veibataki@undp.org
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