Farmers connected to satellite

COFFEE farmers in Jiwaka are connecting to high-speed satellite broadband via the brand new Kacific1 satellite, thanks to a partnership between ISP Emstret and satellite operator Kacific.
Emstret works with local businesses, small and medium enterprises, and social enterprises such as Jiwaka Coffee Ltd to provide affordable internet services to rural communities.
Through the Emtret-Jiwaka Coffee Ltd collaboration, Emstret continually connects coffee growers from mountainous provinces to affordable internet.
This was made possible with installation of very-small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite dishes across Papua New Guinea.
Jiwaka Coffee is a social enterprise based in Kukpa village, a region which represents 85 per cent of Papua New Guinea’s coffee producers.
Jiwaka Coffee produces specialty honey coffee, in which “honey” is a style of processing that uses less water and creates a complex bean flavour.
Its goal is to positively impact 5,000 to 7,000 households over the next seven years through ethical coffee pricing. “The satellite connection is much more affordable than any other options we had in the past,” Jiwaka Coffee manager Emma Wakpi said.