K250,000 approved for cocoa seedling purchase

By JIMMY KALEBE
Tewai-Siassi district development authority in Morobe has approved K250,000 for purchase of cocoa seedlings.
The seedlings will cover Sialum, Siassi and Wasu local level government farmers.
Chief executive Tombo Mali said the seedlings were yet to be purchased and distributed as funds from the district treasury had not been released. “Once the funds are accessible and seedlings are purchased, we will go ahead to distribute to farmers,” he said.
“Being the major commodity in the district, especially in Siassi Island and Wasu, the DDA has passed a resolution to develop further the crop for farmers in the villages.”
Mali said the district had already produced bags of cocoa which were ready for shipment.
The DDA approved funding for seedlings after the cocoa pod borer (CPB) affected many trees in the district.
These new seedlings will replace the old ones that were affected by the CPB
Mali said farmers have been told to get rid of old cocoa trees containing CPB and replace with the new seedlings.
Deputy-president of Siassi LLG, John Sylvanus confirmed that his people had all the buddings needed.
He said some of these buddings were resistant to CPB and could be used in the district.
Meanwhile, Fairtrade Australia New Zealand had started working closely with coffee farmers in Wasu.
Unen Choit Coffee Co-operative in Wasu have been successful with their beans on the international markets.