Joint society concept way forward for islanders

 WATOM islanders in Rabaul district have recognised that the cooperative society concept is the way forward in increasing their family budget.

They also realized the district’s vision in re-growing the local economy on the island LLG.

There has been a major increase in copra production since Watom Cocoa Cooperative Association began buying copra two months ago.

Chairman of the Watom Cocoa Cooperative Association Ben Kalulu said membership was increasing each week as people were seeing the benefits of being a member of the cooperative association.

There are currently just over 70 members who have registered with K50 in membership fees with community interest building.

The islanders previously had to pay high transport costs both on the island and on mainland to sell their copra but with the establishment of the buying point on the island, members’ transport costs are being subsidized. They pay only K1 to transport their copra bags to the LLG office via boats and land transport.

Kalulu said locals now have money in their pockets to cater for their basic needs and also contribute to fundraising drives in their schools, churches and community.

He said mothers do not have to wait for their husbands work their copra blocks to earn money for them. They have taken it upon themselves to work the copra blocks to earn an income.

So far, almost 40,000 tonnes of copra has been sold to Kada Lama, a subsidiary of the ENB Development Corporation. The buying price is K7 per bag from members and K24 for non-members.