Pest affecting cocoa production in Madang

COCOA production in Madang has been hit hard the past years because of many factors and especially by the cocoa pod borer (CPB).
“Production has been very poor and it is a nationwide problem,” farmers in Madang’s Sumgilbar LLG said.
They expressed relief that they were now being trained on how to revive cocoa production and boost revenue.
A team of cocoa experts, led by productive partnership in agriculture project (PPAP) component 2 officer Francis Ulangian, was in the village to conduct a survey on how the farmers had been affected throughout the years.
Cocoa farmers told The National that Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) officers in the district had not been helping them with the necessary skills on how they could manage their cocoa gardens when hit by CPB.
Two farmers, Semben Samak and Leo Karon, said they had cocoa fermenteries that had not been operated for more than five years.
They pleaded that they were in dire need of help from experts but no one extended help and that the DAL officer were not helpful.
Both Karon and Sambak said they were extremely happy with the PPAP team over the weekend and hoped to work with them to see some changes in the future to secure their livelihood.
Ulangian told the farmers to be innovative to reap the potential income rewards from cocoa production.
“Cocoa used to be a rewarding source of income for farmers,” he said.
“There is no reason why that cannot be so again.