Female cocoa farmer collects prizes

A WOMAN from Guadu village in Salamaua, Morobe, who won the best woman farmer at the Kumul blo Morobe Cocoa of Excellence Show in July received her prizes on Friday.
Nanuo Kaukesa received spades, a wheelbarrow, grass knives, knives, a brushcutter, rakes and other tools valued at K2,500 from sponsors Agmark Ltd and Paradise Foods.
She said winning was a proud moment for her and she was excited about receiving her prizes.
“I’m just a simple mother and I thought what I did would not be recognised like this because I just started working with cocoa production, especially in fermentation,” she said.
Kaukesa said the award gave her a big boost as a local cocoa farmer, adding that she had no formal training in cocoa production but learned from other farmers.
She thanked the show sponsors for giving them a platform to showcase their products and what they could do.
Paradise Foods area sales manager Julian Eka said being nationally-owned, the company was pleased to help Papua New Guineans.
“Next year, we will be putting in place long term strategies for local farmers to support them in cocoa production in the province and the country as a whole,” he said.
PNG Cocoa Board regional manager Anton Ningi thanked all stakeholders who were involved in the value chain of cocoa production in the country.