Challenge set for coffee farmers to meet demand

Business

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Benny Allen has challenged Papua New Guinea coffee farmers to consistently produce high quality coffee to meet the market demand.
Allen told a coffee symposium yesterday in Port Moresby that there were lucrative coffee markets but few offered best prices based on consistent supply of quality and quantity.
“As an exportable commodity there are two key factors that farmers must take note,” he said.
“PNG Coffee farmers must learn to consistently produce volumes as required by the market. We must prepare to consistently supply the quality and volumes expected by these lucrative markets or the markets will go elsewhere.”
Allen said the government’s duty was to link farmers to the market and create business opportunities.
“Your job as farmers on the other hand is to meet the market requirements and demand of quality and volume on all time and every time,” he said.
“To tap into specialty markets we must strengthen our connectivity between farmers and all players along the value chain.”
Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis, who was also present at the symposium, said the Australia and PNG relationship had progressed to a new level of maturity.
“We no longer talk in terms of donor and recipient. We are working towards comprehensive bilateral strategic and economy partnership recognition of the growth of PNG economy including in agriculture,” he said.
Meanwhile, Allen said the agriculture summit next month would be hosted jointly by the agriculture and commerce and industry departments.
“We want to work with Commerce and Industry to work with corporative groups to work on rehabilitating the coffee plantations.”