Locals look at turning cocoa into commodity

PEOPLE in Lassul-Baining local level government (LLG) of Gazelle in East New Britain are preparing to develop cocoa cash crop as their main commodity crop.
Incorporated land groups are working around the clock to make sure all members of the communities are supplied with cocoa seedlings so that they all can start replanting.
Secretary of Panakol group, one of the ILG in Lassul Baining LLG, Kevin Worebai, said the Urera landowners, a subsidiary of Panakol ILG, and Pringalang ILG in Kolopom, have been distributed with 6,000 cocoa seedlings and 5,000 cocoa seedlings each.
Worebai said the ILGs have big cocoa nurseries with two ready to do nursery.
“We are all working together in this project,” he said.
“We are helping other sister communities and in that way no one is left behind.
“We have a big vision to develop our LLG through cocoa.
“Our target for this year is to supply at least 50,000 cocoa seedlings to our members, thanks to K.K Connection Ltd, a company that we have engaged to help us in developing our areas,” he said.