Upholding Organic Integrity: The Vital Role of the Certification Team

When it comes to traveling the remote corners of the Solomon Islands, visiting cocoa processors, coconut producers, and our hardworking farmers—it's our Extension and Certification department leading the way.

Many people often ask, “What does organic certification mean?”

Organic certification is the process of verifying and documenting that agricultural products are produced and handled according to strict, clearly defined, internationally recognised, organic standards. Being certified organic allows us to label and sell products as “Organic”, ensuring transparency and trust for consumers.

 At Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands(KPSI), we have proudly maintained organic certification for the past 17 years under NASSA (NOC) of Australia and the Biodynamic Standard. These certifications are accredited by internationally recognised bodies including USDA (NOP), the EU, and Fairtrade.

 The Challenges of Compliance

Stepping into my role as an organic certification officer, one of the foremost challenges has been ensuring our grower groups and processing facilities stay in conformance after each external audit. Record keeping from farmers and producers can be inconsistent, and maintaining accurate mass balance and traceability remains a challenge.

Regulatory changes, such as the updated EU organic regulation requiring grower groups to hold their own certificates, add further pressure. Many of our small-scale farmers simply cannot afford individual certification fees.

To address this, we helped revitalise the Solomon Islands Coconut and Cocoa Producers’ Association. This initiative aims to assist farmers and producers in meeting certification requirements while offering much-needed support moving forward.

What Organic Certification Involves

Maintaining certification isn’t just about clean fields and good intentions—it requires documentation and diligence.Some key components include:

An Organic Management Plan (OMP)

An Internal Control System (ICS)operations

Risk assessments across the whole supply chain

 Annual training is a cornerstone of our team’s extension work. These sessions refresh our producers and farmers on the principles of organic farming and the importance of meticulous record keeping.

Inspections and Audits: The Backbone of Certification

Each year, our trained internal inspectors Cecilia Vikosoro and Ishmael Kwasamanu conduct field inspections across all our grower groups. At KPSI headquarters, an internal audit is carried out by Oliver and assisted by Debbie.

This groundwork prepares us for the external audit conducted by the international certification body.

A Grateful Acknowledgment

We extend our deepest thanks to our farmers, producers, inspectors & auditors and the dedicated extension team.Your unwavering commitment upholds the integrity of our organic certification and allows our products brand KOSI to reach the market with pride and authenticity.

To our valued customers your choice matters. Every time you purchase an organic product, you support and encourage farmers to continue growing organically.

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“Every time you buy organic, you’re persuading a farmer to grow organic’’

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By Victoria Vigulu

ICS Coordinator

Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI)

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