Govt told to provide direct support for coffee farmers

DESPITE various interventions and support provided to the coffee industry, production has not increased and it is time the government provided direct support to farmers and not to agencies like the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC), an official says.
Agriculture Department acting secretary Daniel Kombuk told Prime Minister James Marape during his visit to the department yesterday that according to statistics of coffee production from 2008 to 2017, smallholder farmers produced around 83 per cent of the total coffee whilst block holders (five per cent) and plantations (12 per cent) accounts for only 17 per cent.
“Coffee production remains stagnant below 70, 000 tonnes over the years and most of these around 83 per cent are produced by small holder farmers,” he said.
“The multi million kina Productive Partnership in Agriculture Project (PPAP) funded by the World Bank and the funds given to Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) every year is not making any difference to the overall coffee production.
“These programme and projects did not have impact on the coffee production volume.
“Monies are spent on logistics and other areas without small holder farmers accessing the funds and these approach needs to change.
“Money must be given directly to small holder farmers.”