Cocoa project benefiting 2,000-plus

MORE than 2,000 farmers in Bougainville are benefiting from a project that aims to increase cocoa production, get better farm-gate prices and help farmers find more sources of income.
According to a statement from the Australian department of foreign affairs and trade, the project works from centres in Buka, Arawa and Buin, reaching people in 33 communities.
The Bougainville cocoa project, funded under PNG-Australian Partnership, is led by the University of Sydney and takes a multi-pronged approach to encouraging a number of commercial activities in cocoa households in Bougainville and improve their wellbeing.
With the project’s support, villagers were now making cocoa-based products.
The project has helped villagers get grinders for turning cocoa beans into cocoa powder – the essential ingredient in chocolate confectionary.
Prof David Guest, who leads the project said: “We are encouraging farmers to look more broadly at income sources that complement cocoa and some of the villagers in our project are experimenting with making chocolate cakes and drinks.” Elmah Maxwell, a local chocolate maker, said: “This is a great opportunity for us to diversify our income.”