Communities get funding to support farmers

COMMUNITIES in Pomio East New Britain, received a K100,000 grant from the Pomio District Development Authority to break into global markets with their local cocoa.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the funding followed an investment made last September.
The funding would support the continuing efforts of farmers in the Melkoi local level government to construct a second solar cocoa dryer, enable their participation in the cocoa excellence show in Lae to showcase products and continue developing locally made chocolate.
The initiative was supported by Pomio MP Elias Kapavore, the Government, through the Conservation, Environment and Protection Authority (Cepa) and UNDP – all of whom have contributed funding and provided technical assistance.
The efforts would see the export of high-grade cocoa to Japanese markets, an initiative supported by Japanese company Tachibana and Co, who have been involved in similar efforts around the world.
The Melkoi growers have started producing cocoa and chocolate with hopes it would one day be readily available across the country and internationally.
Pomio DDA chief executive officer Peter Peniat said it was an exciting opportunity.
“We have benefited from Kapavore’s leadership,” he said.
“He has supported this initiative because he recognises the capacity for communities to make progress when they have the resources and confidence to do so.
“We are particularly excited by the possibility of producing locally grown and made chocolate.”