Cocoa production stable

By ROSELYN ELLISON
COCOA production has remained constant at around 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes a year, although efforts have been made to increase it, according to the Cocoa Board of PNG.
Chief executive officer Jesse Anjen said in Kokopo, East New Britain recently that the aim was to improve the livelihood of the people and boost the economy by increasing cocoa production.
“Challenges we face include the (bad) financial situation, but we are managing that, the foreign exchange issue, issues with balsa wood, oil palm and other economic crops affecting the growth of cocoa,” Anjen said.
Anjen described farmers as “price seekers”, as some switch from one crop to another depending on the price offered.
He added that balsa was one example.
When it was introduced, the price was so high that most cocoa farmers replaced their cocoa trees with balsa.
But now with the increase in the cocoa price, farmers especially those who had switched to balsa and other economic crops are regretting their decision.
He encouraged cocoa farmers not to switch to other crops because even though cocoa is a small-holder crop, “it will be here, it will not run away”.
“Our job is to get farmers to continue to maintain their interest in cocoa,” Anjen said.
“We have been tasked by the Government through the Minister for Agriculture to reach 63,000 tonnes by 2027.
“Therefore, I am urging all to work as a team, so we can achieve that target.”