K1mil for districts’ cocoa plan

The National Business

MORE than K1 million will be allocated to cocoa development in the Sumkar and Middle Ramu districts of Madang, says Minister for Agriculture and Livestock John Simon.
He visited the two districts and committed K1.1 million to
cocoa development in both districts.
Simon said cocoa generated revenue for the country and supported the lives of more than 150,000 farmers.
Research showed that in the past five years, cocoa production averaged 43,869 tonnes annually, with 90 per cent being produced by village farmers and 10 per cent by the plantations.
Papua New Guinea’s cocoa industry had been in decline since the outbreak of the cocoa pod borer in 2008.
Exports fell from more than 52,000 tonnes in 2008 to 33,000 tonnes in 2015.
But production increased in the past five years to over 40,000 tonnes.
Simon committed K500,000 each to Sumkar and Middle Ramu, plus K100,000 to an organisation in Sumkar which has a nursery of more than 60,000 cocoa plants.

4 comments

  • That’s cute idea but those responsible for implementation of the project must used the fund allocated accordingly for farmers benefits. I say that because much agriculture funds are misuesd by so called paper agriculturalist due inconsistent extension services for adequate resource allocation…

  • Very true, that is why PNG is not going forward in agriculture having vast land mass and fertile to grow anything yet we are stagnant. Corruption at its best and hope Dept of Agriculture is on the list to face the PAC come the day the name is called out!

  • Money will be gaven to boost the economy of the country but it should be mornitor and control wisely otherwise it is a waste.

  • That’s a positive sign esp.for Middle Ramu District because that’s the first time in history for a Minister for Agriculture to support this remote district.
    Hon. John Simon has set a record.

Comments are closed.