Resource centre opened to revive cocoa production

THE people of Talasea in West New Britain will benefit from a new cocoa facility built to revive cocoa production in the district.
The facility is the first of three PNG-Australia partnership-funded district cocoa resource centres built to revive the cash crop destroyed by the cocoa pod borer invasion in 2006. The new facility includes a nursery, model farm, fermenting bins, drying units, market and accommodation for women and farmers.
It was attended by Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis and West New Britain Governor Francis Maneke.
The project comes under the district’s new five-year development plan which was also launched at the event.
It gives farmers the chance to diversify revenue sources and not rely solely on oil palm.
“We thank the Australian government for partnering with us to enjoy a strong cocoa industry that creates jobs and opportunities for the next generation,”Maneke said.
Cocoa is a high-value, inclusive crop.
Davis said the project was an example of the strong Australia-PNG partnership to support the country’s growth.