District to prioritise coffee production

THE Mendi-Munihu district development authority (DDA) will give prominence to coffee which grows well in the district, says MP Raphael Tonpi.
The DDA will be providing coffee seedlings, fertilisers and other needs and engage extension officers to provide technical assistance to the people.
Tonpi hopes to see each family own 1,000 coffee trees.
The DDA will also make sure to revive abandoned coffee blocks and rundown coffee plantations.
“It will take time,”Tonpi said.
“Coffee inspectors or extension officers will carry out awareness and assist farmers (to) give them confidence to grow coffee.”
Tonpi urged the people to be involved in agricultural activities.
“An awareness drive on farming and agricultural activities will be carried out soon,”he said.
“People are too lazy nowadays and not farming on their land.
“It is good that the Government has created three new ministries under the Department of Agriculture and Livestock.
“Coffee is one of them.”
Tonpi said coffee was the main cash crop for people in the highlands region but many gave up their coffee blocks due to lack of government support.
He said since the Government was giving priority to agriculture, he wanted the people to start farming their land.
The DDA plans to provide seedlings also for potato, cabbages and carrots and will find markets for them.
“We have fertile land available but we are simply too lazy.”