Cocoa farmers in Bougainville receive tractor, dryer

COCOA farmers group in Panguna, Central Bougainville, have received a new tractor and solar combination dryer.
Formed in 2016, the Nimani Farmers Cooperative Society is located at Vito village in Torau.
It has 22 female and 28 males as members.
It received a grant in 2017 to expand cocoa production from Australia and New Zealand, in partnership with Autonomous Bougainville Government and the PNG Government.
Nikki Wright, from the Australian High Commission, said last Wednesday that the grant to Nimani and 24 cocoa farming groups was to strengthen the industry and improve livelihoods.
“Cocoa is an important industry in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville,” Wright said.
“It helps drive sustainable economic development and boost incomes for smallholder farmers and their families.”
Jemma Lala, representing the New Zealand High Commission, said: “New Zealand is pleased to partner with Australia, Bougainville and PNG to provide a new solar combination dryer which improves the quality of cocoa beans during the drying process, and a new tractor to transport produce to nearby markets and selling points.”
Since 2016, Australia and New Zealand have invested more than K8 million in grants to 25 cocoa farming groups across the region.
The programme has distributed over 250,000 cocoa seedlings, renovated 34 cocoa driers and distributed 1,250 sets of tools and equipment.