Cocoa pest disease re-emerges in ENB

There has been a resurgence of cocoa pod borer (CPB) disease in East New Britain province which is threatening to wipe out the K270 million a year industry.
The PNG Cocoa and Coconut Institute (PNGCCI) has informed relevant authorities including the government that the dreaded cocoa pest has re-emerged in new areas of East New Britainand in areas where the Government had spent about K4 million to eradicatethe pest.
PNG Cocoa board statistics show that East New Britain produces 60% of the national cocoa export output, 80% of which comes from smallholder farmers.
The value of cocoa exports from ENB alone in 2006 was K160 million, representing 50% of the province’s total exports.
Bank of PNG agriculture statistics (September quarter) show that PNG cocoa exports in 2006 earned K179 million.
Between January to September 2007, cocoa exports reached K204.3 million.
The December quarter figures are yet to come.
CPB had previously decimated the cocoa industries in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, which is also the biggest buyer of PNG cocoa.
The PNGCCI reports that past evidence shows that CPB is capable of wiping out 90% of PNG’s cocoa production within three years as it has done in parts of Asia if left unchecked.
The institute believes that, while export earnings could be replaced through exports of other commodities and minerals, the replacement of wealth distribution would be more difficult, if not impossible, because of the structure of the cocoa industry, where 80% of the exported produce comes from smallholders.
There is still hope for the industry though, with Indonesian research showing that proper containment measures and improved cocoa husbandry would slow down cocoa losses due to CPB.
But to do so, cocoa farmers will now have to be more professional to increase yields to absorb most of the CPB infestation effects on quality (such as less cocoa butter fat).