CIC bats for rehab of coffee farms

 THE Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) Ltd sees the need for rehabilitation and replanting in coffee growing districts, including new areas.

CIC said the government had shown its support towards boosting the industry by allocating K7 million in the 2014 budget. 

However, CIC said there was no point in spreading the funds thinly as it would diminish the impact of return from investment.

Last week, CIC said in a paid advertisement it was seeking coffee growing districts, including new growth areas, to show interest by forming alliance to rehabilitate and develop their coffee farms.

“CIC will enter into a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with initially six coffee growing districts in 2014. 

“The coffee industry is a major contributor to national income and employment. “Almost three million of the population relies directly or indirectly on coffee as their source of income,” CIC said. 

About 400,000 smallholder growers, 680 blocks ranging from 1-30ha, 65 plantations, 17 registered exporters and 59 registered processors and more than 60,000 roadside buyers make up the country’s coffee industry

CIC said Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Morobe, Madang, Enga and Simbu accounted for more than 94% of coffee production while East Sepik, Sandaun, Northern, Milne Bay, East New Britain and Central contributed the balance. 

However, the coffee firm noted that not much coffee production activity was taking place in Southern Highlands. 

Newcomers to the coffee industry include New Ireland and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.