New office space boosts association’s work

Business

By EREBIRI ZURENUOC
REGISTERED cooperative societies involved in primary products in Morobe now have a voice through the Morobe Primary Producers’ Cooperative Society Association (MPPCA).
The MPPCA was given the key to its new office located between the Cocoa Board office and Court House in Lae.
Office equipment worth K4000 was also given, courtesy of the provincial division of agriculture and livestock (DAL).
MPPCA chairman and managing-director of Labuta Cocoa Cooperative Society Reuben Yapi said there were more than 300 cooperatives in Morobe.
“Cooperatives are good because they will push agriculture commodities,” he said.
“Because of the geographical landmass in Morobe, and isolation of farmers, it is hard reaching all of them.
“All primary producers such as in fisheries, cocoa, vanilla and others are there but have not received the required assistance from government. Most producers and farmers cannot expand because there are no incentives.
“Transportation and logistical support are issues.
“Farmers complain but no one listens to them. We will be their mouthpiece and bring their problems to appropriate bodies in the government.
“Having an office will help us do that.”
Yapi said the concept of MPPCA was that of the provincial administration through deputy administrator – economic services, Masayan Moat.
Moat said there were existing cooperatives but there needed to be a link between all of them.
“We need to know who is genuine,” he said. “If they are not receiving the services they need at the district and local government, then there is an issue.
“Such a concept like MPPCA is introduced to address these issues.”