Cocoa farmers show the sweet side of chocolate

Lower Watut dark chocolates and Kumul bilong Morobe (KbM) coffee were a hit at the Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture (WGJV) stall at the 2018 Morobe Agricultural Show.
Cocoa, coffee, vegetable and freshwater fish farmers from WGJV footprint communities were at the stall to showcase sustainability programmes conducted in their communities in partnership with key Government agencies such as PNG Cocoa Board, Coffee Industry Corporation and Morobe Fisheries Management Authority. The stall promoted the importance of working together to achieve something great for the community.
The KbM and Lower Watut Chocolate were a testament to that.
Lower Watut cocoa farmer Joycelyn Martin was proud to be at the booth to showcase Lower Watut dark chocolate.
She said many farmers who attended the show did not live close to the highway but still went to the show to show people that what was produced in their village was “very special”.
Mumeng Inland Fish Farmers Cooperative Society chairman Yapu Nasom said what the company had done had changed the lives of people in villages.
“The show was an opportunity to connect with other farmers, stakeholders and learn from each other,” he said.
“We’ve learnt a lot from our participation and will take what we’ve learnt back to our communities.”
Anton Ningi, regional-manager for PNG Cocoa Board, thanked WGJV for the sustainable programme.
He said only a small part of the population would benefit directly from the gold and copper project.
“I think the focus of the company is right,” Ningi said.
“Create a sustainable community so that they can live off their land. I would like to thank WGJV for its continued support and to push cocoa production in the community.”