Borer threatening cocoa farmers’ K200mil earnings

THE coffee berry borer (CBB) is destroying the potential of smallholder coffee growers to earn some K200 million in Eastern Highlands, Eastern Highlands Smallholder Coffee Growers Association Chairman John Inerehu says.
“There is a major concern among smallholders that CBB is eating into the coffee beans.
“When harvested, the beans lose 80 per cent of the normal weigh,” he said.
Inerehu, who is also a member of the Coffee Industry Corporation Board, said roadside parchment buyers in the province dropped the price and they are paying below K4 per kg because the price depends on the weight.
“Smallholders are the largest shareholders in the coffee industry in Eastern Highlands.
“We bring into grower’s households K200 million annually and this potential is now being destroyed by CBB,” he said.
He said immediate intervention by the Government, relevant agencies and stakeholders to combat CBB and maintain price stability was sorely required.
Prime Minister James Marape recently launched the new coffee policy including price increase per kilogramme to K7 and K13 and each family units to grow 2,500 coffee trees.
“I appeal to the Government to immediately fund eradication programmes for CBB and the coffee industry will be sustained.
“Otherwise, the good policies and visions will go down the drain.
“CBB is coming strong and is here to stay, destroying coffee beans,” he said.
“Many families are digging up coffee gardens and are planting kaukau (sweet potato) that they can sell to earn money all year round, unlike coffee, waiting for seasons and now being destroyed by CBB,” he added.