Firm renews deal to support cocoa projects in Morobe

WAFI Golpu Services Ltd has extended its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the PNG Cocoa Board to continue their joint cocoa projects in Morobe.
WGJV community affairs manager David Masani said the reviewed MoU now included a new category called the provincial growing area (PGA) which would cover Labuta, Salamaua, Buang and Morobe Rural local level governments (LLG).
He explained that the initial agreement signed last Sept 5, covered for the project impact area which was within the borders of Wampar, Mumeng, Lae and Ahi Rural LLGs.
He said the main objective of the MoU was to improve the livelihoods of people captured in the agreement by increasing their income through cocoa production.
The agreement had encouraged the roll out of the cocoa redevelopment project to address decline and stagnancy in cocoa production that was being faced in the province and the region.
The signing of the reviewed MoU, which was extended to next Sept 5, was witnessed by the Babuaf farmers cooperative society, Lower Watut farmers cooperative society and the Labuta cocoa farmers cooperative society, LLG presidents and other representatives.
PNG Cocoa Board chief executive officer Boto Gaupu acknowledged the work of Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture in supporting cocoa growers.
“This MoU is based from the experience with other resource sectors, where before we extract gold and copper from Wafi, we must mine cocoa,” Gaupu said.
WGJV’s head of external affairs David Wissink said though they did not know when mining would start because there was no special mining lease, they were committed to assisting with the communities.
He said Wafi Golpu’s long-term plan was to start the Wafi Development Foundation once the mine started operation.
“The foundation will support community initiatives such as the cocoa intervention programme.”