Cocoa production expected to rise

THE Government’s cocoa price support programme will increase cocoa production in Morobe, says PNG Cocoa Board chief executive officer Boto Gaupu.
He said this on Monday when launching the programme at Munum village in Wampar local level government, Huon Gulf, Morobe, on behalf of Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon.
Gaupu said as of Monday, K200,000 had been expanded on cocoa price support in eight districts of Morobe with the exception of Menyamya.
He said Morobe’s current cocoa production was 4,500 tonnes, valued at K30 million.
Gaupu said K19 million of that (K30mil) went directly into the pockets of farmers.
“Over the last 10 to 15 years, it (cocoa production in Morobe) averaged 800 tonnes to 1,000 tonnes (annually),” he said.
“I can tell you now that it has increased to 4,400 tonnes, which is equivalent to K30 million in export revenue.
“Of this K30 million, K18 – K19 million goes into farmers in the districts.
“Cocoa also generates other economic activities such as stores, PMVs and others, and also contributes goods and services tax to the Government.”
Gaupu said Markham was currently leading cocoa production in Morobe with half of total production.
“We (Morobe) are a new frontier (for cocoa) after East New Britain, Bougainville and East Sepik – which are currently leading production in the country,” he said.
“I am confident that Morobe, with the support of all farmers can go up to 10,000 tonnes – which will bring in more than K100 million into the province.”
Gaupu said it was the direction of the Minister that beneficiaries of price support had to be farmers in the villages.
“We will not involve exporters (in price support),” he said.
“Exporters are there to get the volume that we create and make their sales.
“Benefits will go down directly to the villagers.
“This is one thing that this Government has brought about.”
Gaupu thanked Prime Minister James Marape for creating the price support programme.
“He (Marape) has said that he wanted to see results before he pumps in more money,” he said.
“Sustainability or continuation of this programme depends on all of us.
“If we do not perform, we spoil our chance of more support for the price we receive.”
He said there was nothing stopping Morobe from increasing its cocoa production.
“We, in Morobe, have a large landmass, all the accessibility and everything in the world,” Gaupu said.
“Let us take this time and opportunity to go into agriculture, especially cocoa, to better our standard of living in the villages.”