Govt to start cocoa nurseries in districts

THE Highlands will be the new frontier of cocoa with the government looking at establishing a regional nursery to cater for two million cocoa seedlings for farmers in the region each year, Minister for National Planning Richard Maru says.

Maru said the government through the PNG Cocoa board would be investing in cocoa to ensure there were eight million seedlings produced and distributed to farmers every year.

In his address to cocoa farmers, exhibitors and participants during the 2019 PNG Kumul Bilong Morobe Cocoa of Excellence show in Lae on Friday, Maru said cocoa nurseries would be established in the four regions of the country.

“Currently PNG is exporting 42,000 metric tonnes and over the next five years, we should reach 100,000 metric tonnes and beyond,” he said.

“To do that would mean a lot of effort from all farmers and everyone in the sector.”

“Our government has decided to partner all districts to embark on district nurseries.

“We are building the Mamose nursery in the Sepik plains by December.

“That will produce a further two million seedlings a year, currently the whole nation depends on Kerevat for two million seeds a year.

“By April 2020, the Mamose nursery should start producing and we will increase seedlings by 100 per cent.

“We are already studying the Southern nursery in Abau and we hope to complete the nursery next year.”

Maru said the Highlands nursery would be set up in Jiwaka because the government was committed to supporting the growth of the cocoa industry and to grow the size of the export volume.

Chimbu deputy administrator (field services) Walkaima Essy, who was part of the Chimbu administration team to showcase the growth of cocoa at higher altitudes farming during the show, said Maru’s announcement was timely.

“Karimui is producing cocoa and they are the first district to grow this crop in the Highlands,” Essy said.

Source: The National PNG

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Cocoa boost eyed for Markham

A landowner group in the Umi-Atzera LLG, of Markham district, will enter a joint venture with Mainland Holdings Ltd (MHL) to use their land for a cocoa development project.
In 2016, farmers in Markham alone earned K5 million from cocoa production.

Information from the PNG Cocoa Board during the period indicated that the district topped the province in cocoa production. More than 1000 hectares of land within the vicinity of the once-renowned Markham Peanut Butter facility will now be turned into a large-scale cocoa development project area.

Garam locals from Wafibampung village near the Leron plains have accepted an invitation from MHL to participate in this project.

MHL is the lease-holder of the land on which one of its subsidiary companies, Niugini Table Birds, operates the Garam Breeder Farm.

The company has used its discretion to formally invite landowners to participate in this business venture to improve and maximise landowner participation.
Six villages consisting of five clans, with a population of more than 7000 men, women and children, will be involved in this project.

Markham district development authority chief executive Henry Mileng said it was a significant opportunity provided by the company to involve local landowners.

He said Markham DDA would provide technical support to assist landowners prepare for the project.

Mileng said landowner participation would improve the rural economy and the lives of the people living in the surrounding communities. Garam landowners’ chairman Kevin Rifi said the landowners would work together for the benefit of the project.

“We have been waiting for such a large-scale impact project over the years,” he said.

“Markham is blessed with this massive landmass and to have a project of this magnitude is a blessing to us.”

Source: The National PNG

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