Cocoa farmers in Morobe make K93mil in nine years

By ZEBEDEE GIAME
Morobe cocoa farmers netted K93 million from 2008 to 2017, according to a 10-year review of the development of the crop in the province.
The farmers brought in K20 million to Morobe in 2017 alone with a bright future projected for development of the crop in the province.
Total Morobe cocoa production in 2017 was 4150 tonnes, netting K20.1 million for farmers in the province, with 2018 set to pick up as prices indicate a slight climb.
With the average price range sitting between K290 and K400, cocoa in Morobe over the past 10 years has earned K92.8 million from a total production of 18,295 tonnes between 2008 and 2017.
Current extension and development in cocoa is estimated to produce a total volume of 8796 metric tonnes by 2020, generating an income of K49.24 million.
Between 2016 and 2017, all six cocoa-producing districts in the province produced 74,154 bags of dried cocoa beans for a combined tonnage of 4634.63, raking in K22,987,048 in revenue for local producers.
The 2016-2017 period saw Markham leading in production with almost 2000 tonnes, collecting 37 per cent of the total combined income, followed by Huon Gulf, Tewae-Siassi, Finschhafen, Nawaeb and Lae.
The number of driers has also increased from 375 in 2008 to 996 in this year.
There are 23 cocoa nurseries and rehabilitation projects being developed in the province.