Drop in quality of cocoa worries local sector

A 20 PER CENT drop in the quality of Papua New Guinea cocoa is a concern for the local industry, an expert says.
Martin Powell of the Productive Partnership in Agriculture Project (PPAP), which ran a five-day training course last week at Kairak Vudal Resource Training Centre (KVRTC) in East New Britain, said cocoa quality fell from 90 per cent to 70 per cent and urged farmers to apply the knowledge and skills learned.
The training was facilitated by the PNG Cocoa Board and saw a total of 60 farmers, including PPAP extension officers attached with KVRTC, all gain from the training.
Powel said it was important farmers carefully followed appropriate procedures (harvesting, drying and fermentation) in processing cocoa instead of taking short cuts to earn quick money.
Powel said PNG had a reputation for producing some of the best quality cocoa beans, as rated by the International Cocoa Organisation, with 90 per cent of harvested beans ranked as fine and flavour cocoa.