Board aims to help villagers

PNG Cocoa Board chief executive Boto Gaupu says their main objective is to help villagers get involved in the cocoa industry so they can sustain themselves economically.
Gaupu said the board was expanding around the country including non-cocoa producing provinces.
“Our objective is to give life and sustainability to people who depend on cocoa, to improve the welfare, the livelihood and the standard of living through cocoa that is what we should be aiming for,” Gaupu said.
He said the Covid-19 impacted progress of the industry.
“We are now getting funds from the industry re-invest to ensure we deliver in our main core business which is research and extension,” he said.
He said the organisation was trying to refurbish all the plantations and rehabilitate and replant.
He said they were also working with groups, cooperatives or cluster groups and incorporated land groups (ILGs).
“It is about making sure that we are putting money into the peoples’ pockets,” he said.
“By providing cocoa to them you are providing money to them, you are employing them, and in the process you are building the economy of this province and country.”