Balsa project registers cooperative society and elects board

By ROBERTLYN KIG
THE Madang balsa project has registered a cooperative society and elected its board members and executives.
The steering committee working on the policy framework and implementation plan brought in farmers from the six districts to elect the board members and executives of the Madang Balsa Cooperative. Project manager Denson Javohn said they had 67,000 members and the number could increase because of the interest in balsa farming.
Javohn hopes the number is enough to create a market base in Madang, demonstrating the potential of a good supply to meet the export demand.
“After the establishment of the cooperative society, we are looking at having a mill set up,” he said.
There is a plan to conduct a survey to assess the capability of farmers to meet the export demand and 10 million seedlings to be distributed in the province.
Bogia is a leader in balsa cultivation with more than 115,000 trees in the Almami local level government.
“It is the result of an awareness conducted by Almami LLG vice president Isidor Gemon after witnessing the benefits of balsa in East New Britain.
“My people are excited about the development of the balsa cooperative society as they see themselves as the first sellers who will bring the market to Madang,” Gemon said.
He has more than 6000 trees on his land and continues planting every three months.