Register cooperatives, says Gaupu

PNG Cocoa Board chief executive officer Boto Gaupu is encouraging interested cocoa farmers to form cooperatives before approaching the Cocoa board for assistance.
Gaupu said with limited resources in place, it was hard to help individual farmers who sought assistance from the Cocoa Board.
Gaupu met with local level government (LLG) presidents and farmer cooperatives of Morobe in Lae last week, encouraging them not to wait around for government assistance.
Wampar LLG president Giuka Boaras said his people wanted nursery set-ups throughout the LLG.
“We have cooperatives in Wampar and we really want to see you extend throughout our LLG,” he said.
“Even my people in the settlements want to grow cocoa in their backyards to support their living.”
Gaupu acknowledged the growing interest of cocoa farmers in Morobe, calling the province “the new frontier of cocoa in PNG”.
He said previously Morobe produced only 800-1,000 tonnes per year and now had increased to 4,000-5,000 tonnes which was a 300 per cent improvement.
Gaupu said the plan was to increase to 10,000 tonnes, hence their various partnerships within the province including Markham and Finschhafen districts and business partners such as the Wafi-Golpu.