Growing the ‘money tree’

By AUGUSTINE DOMINIC
HE grew up knowing coffee as the “money tree” that provided income for  parents to buy rice and tinned fish that he enjoyed most.
Now at 53, John Yongomugl recalled the importance that was placed on the coffee tree by his clansmen from the Dengla Ku Clan of Gembogl, Chimbu province, during his childhood days.
He said the coffee tree was highly respected and any children breaking its branches, leaves or even touching it would be beaten or referred to village authorities to be dealt with.
With these vivid me­mories of coffee, Yongomugl was convinced to spread the coffee tree story and experience for future generations by building nurseries and selling coffee seedlings.
It is something he has been doing for 36 years since moving in 1976 to live in Goroka‘s Council Camp.
“Many of the coffee farmers in the Eastern Highlands and Chimbu are now benefiting from the coffee seeding that I gave them,” Yongomugl said in Tok Pisin.
He had become an expert in producing and managing coffee and tree crop nurseries.
He produced more than 2,000 coffee seedlings per year and sold each for 50 toea.
His nurseries are loca­ted at Kerowagi in Chimbu and in Goroka.
“I have a lot of experience in organic farming and would like to utilise it to create and manage the coffee gardens of my clients,” Yongomugl said.
He was currently supplying seedlings to orphans to build their coffee gardens.
His work in organic farming and nurseries had been recognised and utilised by many organisations such as Coffee Industry Corporation, Catholic Church, Save the Children in PNG, and Fresh Produce Development Agency.
Despite having little land at his current residence, his nursery work enabled him to look after his five daughters and nine grandchildren