Coffee corporation seeking to set up database for growers

A MEMBERSHIP drive to set up a database for all smallholder coffee growers in Jiwaka and Western Highlands is gaining momentum.
Jack Kulam, Coffee Industry Corporation director for Western Highlands Smallholder Coffee Growers’ Association, said other associations in the coffee-growing areas of Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Enga, Southern Highlands, Mamose and Southern region would be running similar awareness programmes.
He said the aim was to help coffee growers get the best out of their cash crop.
“Coffee growers lack the knowledge and skills to get the best out of their coffee,” Kulam said.
“They have wasted their time and energy in growing, but they have never received good benefits.
“We want to empower them to produce quality beans, find good markets for them so that they can get a premium price for their produce.”