Reviving production

A COFFEE plantation in Jiwaka which used to pay out around K2 million in fortnightly wages more than 20 years ago is to be revived.
Directors of Waghi Arabica, Mark Munnul, Jack Du Maine and Robert Bradshaw, last Friday announced the acquisition of the Wagamil Coffee Plantation.
The 200-hectare plantation is one of the 14 owned and operated by the Waghi Mek plantations 23 years ago.
The company after facing legal issue stopped production, leaving the coffee estates unattended.
Waghi Arabicas is buying only the Wagamil Plantation near the Kudjip section of the Okuk Highway. Bradshaw said the closure of the 14 plantations had affected the lives of the people.
Coffee is the main source of income for the people of Jiwaka because there is no mineral resource.
Coffee Industry Corporation chief executive officer Charles Dambui welcomed the approach to revive the coffee plantation.
He said the CIC would support the revival of the Wagamil Plantation by providing technical assistance.
Manager of the Productive Partnership in Agriculture Project (PPAP) coffee sector Potaisa Hombunaka assured the management and partners of support.
Chairman of the Waghi Mek Coffee Paul Pou Mai welcomed the plan to revive the plantation.