Small business group gains momentum
11 Dec 2025
What began as a small idea in a remote South Bougainville village has grown into one of the region’s most inspiring rural development success stories. At just 34, Julie Rereve of Orio, Wisai Constituency, is transforming livelihoods through the Maura Farmers Business Group, a community-driven cocoa enterprise she founded in 2016 after graduating with a degree in Tropical Agriculture from the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE).
Julie returned home after school with no formal job but a strong desire to give back to her family and community. Seeing the daily struggles around her, she decided to use her training to create change.
“I saw how my family lived and knew I had knowledge that could help,” she said. “So, I started with 10 farmers, just a dream, and no resources except the hope of improving rural life through cocoa.”
What began with ten cocoa growers quickly gained momentum. By 2017, membership had risen to 50 farmers enough for Maura to secure a K372,000 grant from the Commodity Support Facility (CSF). With that support, Julie and her team constructed 11 cocoa fermentries, distributed 20,000 cocoa clones, and equipped farmers with essential tools and training.
In 2022, the group received another boost K100,000 from the Bougainville Community Grant which enabled the distribution of 35 water tanks, improving rural sanitation and families’ well-being. Today, Maura Farmers Business Group has expanded to more than 250 farmers, all united by the mission of producing high-quality cocoa and building stronger, self-reliant communities.
Building Bougainville’s next cocoa industry landmark The group is now preparing for its most ambitious development yet: the establishment of its first chocolate processing facility in Arawa, supported by the PACD Matching Grant. This facility will host a mini chocolate shop and a small-scale processing unit focused on producing premium cocoa powder and cocoa butter.
Maura’s goal is clear: improve cocoa quality at the farm level through training, introduce value addition in the region, and supply consistent quality beans at farm-gate prices—reducing transport challenges faced by rural growers.
The new project includes a cocoa fermentary dryer (8x12), mini-chocolate shop (all required materials plus tufa tank and 25KVA generator), a cocoa moisture meter and bean cutters for quality grading. The initiative is backed by farmers who, over the years, have developed deep trust in Julie’s leadership and vision.
Transforming lives through cocoa For many families in Oria and Wisai, who were members of Maura in its initial stage, got cocoa and training under Maura are now benefiting from cocoas distributed under the small business and see changes in their livelihoods. With improved processing and better access to support, farmers are now building permanent homes, paying school and medical fees, and starting small businesses. Julie says these changes reflect the true impact of community-driven development.
“The little business has changed people. It has changed their mindset. Families now see cocoa as a pathway to a better life.” A model for sustainable rural development The Maura Farmers Business Group is registered with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) and has over seven years of experience in small-scale cocoa processing. Its partner group, the Wisai-Oria Cocoa Growers Group, comprises 250 active members supplying quality beans that meet export standards.
Through their upcoming value-adding initiative, Maura aims to enter premium markets, export high-grade dry beans, and stabilize local prices so farmers are not disadvantaged by fluctuating global markets.
Maura will contribute 20 percent of the total K259,800 project cost under the PACD arrangement. Julie says the group’s long-term vision is simple: “Empower farmers, improve quality, and build a sustainable cocoa economy for our people.”
With a chocolate factory underway and hundreds of farmers behind her, Julie Rereve is not only changing the cocoa sector, but she is also reshaping futures in rural South Bougainville.
Julie returned home after school with no formal job but a strong desire to give back to her family and community. Seeing the daily struggles around her, she decided to use her training to create change.
“I saw how my family lived and knew I had knowledge that could help,” she said. “So, I started with 10 farmers, just a dream, and no resources except the hope of improving rural life through cocoa.”
What began with ten cocoa growers quickly gained momentum. By 2017, membership had risen to 50 farmers enough for Maura to secure a K372,000 grant from the Commodity Support Facility (CSF). With that support, Julie and her team constructed 11 cocoa fermentries, distributed 20,000 cocoa clones, and equipped farmers with essential tools and training.
In 2022, the group received another boost K100,000 from the Bougainville Community Grant which enabled the distribution of 35 water tanks, improving rural sanitation and families’ well-being. Today, Maura Farmers Business Group has expanded to more than 250 farmers, all united by the mission of producing high-quality cocoa and building stronger, self-reliant communities.
Building Bougainville’s next cocoa industry landmark The group is now preparing for its most ambitious development yet: the establishment of its first chocolate processing facility in Arawa, supported by the PACD Matching Grant. This facility will host a mini chocolate shop and a small-scale processing unit focused on producing premium cocoa powder and cocoa butter.
Maura’s goal is clear: improve cocoa quality at the farm level through training, introduce value addition in the region, and supply consistent quality beans at farm-gate prices—reducing transport challenges faced by rural growers.
The new project includes a cocoa fermentary dryer (8x12), mini-chocolate shop (all required materials plus tufa tank and 25KVA generator), a cocoa moisture meter and bean cutters for quality grading. The initiative is backed by farmers who, over the years, have developed deep trust in Julie’s leadership and vision.
Transforming lives through cocoa For many families in Oria and Wisai, who were members of Maura in its initial stage, got cocoa and training under Maura are now benefiting from cocoas distributed under the small business and see changes in their livelihoods. With improved processing and better access to support, farmers are now building permanent homes, paying school and medical fees, and starting small businesses. Julie says these changes reflect the true impact of community-driven development.
“The little business has changed people. It has changed their mindset. Families now see cocoa as a pathway to a better life.” A model for sustainable rural development The Maura Farmers Business Group is registered with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) and has over seven years of experience in small-scale cocoa processing. Its partner group, the Wisai-Oria Cocoa Growers Group, comprises 250 active members supplying quality beans that meet export standards.
Through their upcoming value-adding initiative, Maura aims to enter premium markets, export high-grade dry beans, and stabilize local prices so farmers are not disadvantaged by fluctuating global markets.
Maura will contribute 20 percent of the total K259,800 project cost under the PACD arrangement. Julie says the group’s long-term vision is simple: “Empower farmers, improve quality, and build a sustainable cocoa economy for our people.”
With a chocolate factory underway and hundreds of farmers behind her, Julie Rereve is not only changing the cocoa sector, but she is also reshaping futures in rural South Bougainville.
