Morobe expected to produce 10,000 tonnes of cocoa: Ningi

MOROBE expects to produce 10,000 tonnes of cocoa by 2020 when the 300,000 seedlings being planted are harvested, PNG Cocoa Board regional manager Anton Ningi says.
Ningi said the trend was 800 tonnes per year. Between September 2015 and September 2016, this increased to 5000 tonnes with Morobe supplying 83,000 bags.
However, the production is likely to drop by 20 to 30 per cent in 2017 because of the heavy rain and farmers engaged by the general election.
The Cocoa Board is distributing 80,000 seedlings in the Waria local level government beginning at Omora.
The other established sites are at Wasu, Siassi, Finschhafen, Labuta, Morobe Post, Lower Watut and Markham.
Ningi attended the loading of K100,000 worth of tools including wheel barrows, spades, forks, shed cloths, poly bags and two chainsaws for farmers in Waria on Thursday.
“We are encouraging cocoa and coffee with trainings conducted on both crops,” Ningi said.
We are still devising methods on how to revive tea production as well.
“There is a huge potential in the Waria Valley and we are thankful to chief executive Boto Gaupu for  the support in enhancing the rural economy which is in line with Bulolo MP Sam Basil’s aspirations.”