Farmers benefit from price support

Business
Members of the Awilunga mama agriculture project with bags of packed dry cocoa bean bags during the Morobe cocoa price support programme at Munum, Wampar local level government, Huon Gulf, on Monday. – Nationalpic by LARRY ANDREW

By LARRY ANDREW
WOMEN in Morobe involved in cocoa farming have seen changes in their individual lives.
More than 100 women are members of the Awilunga mama agriculture project of Esso Mountain, outside Lae.

Members of the Awilunga mama agriculture project of Esso mountain outside Lae attending the Government’s cocoa price support programme at Munum village, Huon Gulf, on Monday. – Picture supplied

They attended the launching of the Government’s cocoa price support programme at Munum village in Wampar LLG, Huon Gulf, Morobe, on Monday.
Group treasurer Margaret Bana said the Government’s price support programme had benefitted farmers at the end of the value chain.

Cocoa is transforming the country, putting money into the pockets of farmers. The Government’s cocoa price support programme was launched in Morobe on Monday. – Picture supplied

“Families now have the money to pay for school fees, medication, food and other household needs,” she said.
Bana thanked the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock John Simon and the PNG Cocoa Board for rolling out the programme.

Members of the Awilunga mama agriculture project of Esso mountain outside Lae with PNG Cocoa Board chief executive Boto Gaupu (middle) during the Government’s cocoa price support programme at Munum village, Huon Gulf, on Monday. – Picture supplied

“It is really benefiting us the farmers,” she said.
Fermentary owners have been buying wet cocoa beans for K1.50 a kilogramme.
But with the price support programme, it is now K3 per kg.
Bana said the project under the programme had sold around 20 dry bean bags to Outspan and another 14 more ready to be sold.
The plan is to have a bigger fermentary to cater for the increase in volume plus a bigger storage facility.
“We want to see this programme to continue as it is benefitting cocoa farmers,” Bana said.
“We are committed to growing our cocoa business and produce volumes with quality.”