PNG coffee world-class

CURRENTLY, Papua New Guinea coffee (both Robusta and Arabica, and other hybrid varieties) have gained international exposure and recognition through concerted efforts of various stakeholders in the industry.
Particular recognition accorded to efforts by the PNG group which showcased our coffee at the recent expo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Central SME Coffee Company which displayed the products and potential in the United States late last year.
There are contributing players in the industry like existing Kongo Coffee, which exports its premium brand to Europe, and certain Eastern Highlands and Morobe Coffee growers Associations and small-medium enterprises who are directly exporting to overseas markets.
The Eastern Highlands government-owned Rubia Coffee Ltd is already exporting to Australian untapped market.
Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu is commended for the vision and efforts in this industry to benefit the grassroots (the so called middlemen who have taken advantaged of the poor farmers access to reliable markets for their products is now over).
This raises the question of other coffee growing provinces and districts in the region as to what they are doing with the very industry that directly impacts the livelihood of rural farmers.
It seems these other coffee growing provinces and districts in the region are expected to do more in comparison to EHP and Morobe.
On the issue of political will and direction, the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock John Simon and the Government is highly commended for much efforts and resources put in the agriculture sector to realise its full potential, including coffee.
It is now up to the other stakeholders on the ground to implement and take advantage of the newly exposed international markets to earn a good export revenue in foreign currency to boost domestic economic growth.
A recent visit last week by the Australian diplomatic delegation, led by PNG High Commissioner to Australia, John Kali to Baiyer River in Western Highland (Ukini area) should be a wake up call to respective stakeholders, small subsistent village coffee grower to go back to your coffee gardens and take up your spades and bush knives to revive your long abandoned coffee gardens.
Form coffee cooperatives or associations to reap the benefit of the current good world coffee prices and sustain the industry in the long run.

Philip Ukuni
Mt Hagen