Run-down coffee plantation will be revived: Simon

AGRICULTURE and Livestock Minister John Simon says it is in the best interests of Jiwaka and Papua New Guinea that the rundown Waghi Mek Plantations in the Waghi Valley are revived.
“We are willing to help revive the plantations with financial support,” he said.
“But a proper work programme must be in place.”
Simon said this at a meeting with Waghi Mek shareholders and Jiwaka Governor Dr William Tongamp in Banz.
Waghi Mek Ltd, owned by South Wahgi local level government (LLG), North Wahgi LLG and Hunter Richard Hagon, was once the single biggest coffee exporter in the country until it ceased operations due to landowner disputes.
There have been many attempts to revive the 14 plantations but to no avail.
“We all know very well that the economy of Jiwaka is dependent on coffee,” Simon said.
“The biggest coffee gardens to restore our Jiwaka economy are the Waghi Mek Plantations.
“It is in the interests of everyone that Waghi Mek is revived.
“Our national coffee production is falling, and one of the contributing factors to that is Waghi Mek Plantations is not producing.
“The big coffee plantations in the Waghi Valley like Waghi Mek, Gumanch and others need to be revived.
“What has happened to Waghi Mek Plantations is a very sad story.”
Simon said leadership was critical to revive Waghi Mek Plantations, especially at a time like now, when people were better educated than in the past.
“The problem now with reviving plantations like Waghi Mek is that everyone wants to be a leader, and at the end of the day, nothing gets done. Let’s do something, let’s do it now.
“If our heart is in the right place, what we are trying to do will happen.”
Simon said a start could be made by reviving one plantation first, and then move on to the others, rather than try to revive all of them at the same time.
He said the onus was on everyone to work together, especially the two LLGs and the Jiwaka government, to revive the Waghi Mek Plantations.