Improving quality of coffee, increasing production vital

IMPROVING the quality of coffee and increasing production are the main targets of coffee cooperatives during the coffee competition in Lae.
Sallyn Lomotopa, the chairperson of Ginipa Coffee in Eastern Highlands, said the quality of coffee starts from the soil used to plant coffee trees.
She said strict supervision and proper management of coffee would lead to the improvement of its quality.
“The price of coffee depends on the quality of coffee produced. Therefore we can control the price if we produce high grade coffee,” she said.
Lomotopa told The National that producing and manufacturing coffee in the country for export would generate money.
Tom Buro, the Master Roaster and Barista for Superior Coffee in Kainantu, Eastern Highlands said coffee growers should be encouraged to produce their own coffee for export.
Buro said Superior Coffee was locally grown, processed and manufactured in the country, thus creating a market for many growers.
“Quality control and coffee management will help increase coffee production and yields,” he said.
He said Kainantu Superior Coffee directly affected the lives of coffee farmers in rural areas by paying a high price for green coffee beans.