Chimbu’s Karimui supplies fresh cocoa to markets

FRESH organic cocoa from the plains of Karimui in the Salt Nomane Karimui district of Chimbu is now being supplied to overseas markets.
Karimui is located south of Kundiawa town sharing the border with Eastern Highlands, Southern Highlands and Gulf.
It covers nearly half of Chimbu’s land mass.
Prime Minister James Marape recently told Chimbu Governor Michael Dua and provincial assembly members of the potential of cocoa in Karimui.
Sorita Cocoa Farm director and manager Norman Mondo who is responsible for cocoa growing in Karimui said despite its isolation and high altitude cocoa farming was overwhelming.
Mondo said banana, taro, sugar cane, yam, vegetables, fruits and spices are in abundance too.
“It has the potential of flooding markets in major centers of this country with food supply.” He said.
He said Karimui cocoa covered 900 hectares with 1.5 million trees planted on production stage.
“We have a capacity to meet our target to supply 10 tonnes of fresh cocoa beans monthly,” he said.
Mondo said they supplied 5,000 tonnes last year and were confident of making K35,000 monthly for the province.
Governor Dua praised Karimui for its achievements.
“My government is very committed to such impact projects that will boost revenue,” Dua said.