Deal signed to develop biogas in ENB

A memorandum of understanding has signed between Cocoa Board of PNG and the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) following a joint-venture agreement to develop and trial biogas in East New Britain.
The signing of the MOU took place at Tavilo Cocoa Research Station at Kerevat in Gazelle on Wednesday.
The main idea is to eliminate the issue of ‘smoke taint’ in dried cocoa beans when firewood is used.
This is part of the board’s intention to see alternative ways of processing and drying cocoa, with biogas being one area to explore.
The board has devised ways and post-harvest technologies to effectively address this ongoing problem among smallholder cocoa farmers.
The board and UNRE agreed to continue work on consolidating the initiative so that it can be utilised in the cocoa industry.
This is a means to eliminate the problem of smoke taint and improve quality of processed and dried cocoa beans for export markets.
The use of the biogas digester to dry cocoa beans is an innovative technology.
Demonstrations were made during the event on the processes of how to generate biogas from animal manure.
A good partnership has been created between the board and UNRE in this joint venture.
The university can supply the resources in this project and also benefit in terms of students learning from the new initiative.