Cocoa board launches project to raise quality of beans

COCOA Board of PNG launched the standard trade development facility (STDF) project in Zimama on Friday to help raise the quality of cocoa beans in Markham’s Umi Atzera local level government in Morobe.
Acting board chief executive officer Tony Vigil said two other groups also identified for the projects were Sons Corporation Ltd and Takom. “Although we have (the) best cocoa quality, it has downgraded due to smoking,” he said.
“The standard trade development facility is to address this.
“When we address quality, it will also attract niche market (special market).
“We must, thus, seize the opportunities and when officers are around, spend time with them.
“Cocoa board will work with the district by providing an extension officers to help planters and their families.”
Vigil said two provinces selected for STDF projects were East New Britain and Morobe.
The standard trade development facility is a trial programme funded by World Trade Organisation in collaboration with the board, farmers and Markham development authority .
In Morobe, Markham is the only district that will have the three projects implemented.
The total value of the projects for ENB and Morobe is US$859,234 (about K2.6 million) with STDF contributing US$623,000 (about K1.9 million) and cocoa board contributing its share of 27 per cent, an equivalent to US$235,959 (about K735,240).