Scheme opens for grant applications from farmers

The National Business

APPLICATIONS for grants are open for cocoa farmer groups in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, providing them with opportunities to increase quantity, improve quality and get better access to markets.
The grants scheme is an initiative of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the National Government, Australia and New Zealand.
It is implemented through Bougainville partnership’s commodity support facility.
The announcement followed the completion of a first round of grants which supported 25 farmers groups from 2017-2020.
Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp said the programme was part of a partnership to foster agriculture and economic development in Bougainville.
“Australia is delighted to support this programme’s continuation,” he said.
“Improving agricultural yields can play an important role in broader economic and social development.
“Strengthening the cocoa industry improves the livelihoods of individuals, helps to build stronger communities and contributes to Papua New Guinea as a whole.”
New Zealand High Commissioner Philip Taula said the commodity support facility grants programme was stronger than ever and would assist farmers to make sustainable improvements to their operations.
“Cocoa is an important industry in Bougainville,” he said.
“New Zealand is proud to continue to partner with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, and the PNG and Australian governments to support the growth of the cocoa sector.”
Farmer groups have been encouraged to submit concepts to be considered for grants, which will be worth between K300,000 and K500,000. This round of grants will prioritise income generation activities for women and young people.

3 comments

  • I attended a KKI course near Naramilaua on Lavongai island in 2007 run by the sadly now dead dedicated agricultural officer Das Logo of Tingwon.
    The thrust of his advice was to treat cocoa production as a small farmer project.
    Don’t try to plant any area too big for your basic family to maintain.
    Regular grass cutting
    Optimum shaping of trees or formation pruning
    Remove black pod
    Restrict vertical growth to less than 2 metres.
    Well looked after trees will not need expensive fertilsers, herbicides, insecticides.
    A family following good practices on a correct sized plot can earn enough to provide for basic needs including school fees.
    Too many cocoa farmers want to copy commercial planters with blocks too big to maintain so that trees grow wild and produce less and less cocoa beans..
    Families should seek basic help from Agriculture officers on the best economic size they should develop.

  • My question is out of context but would like to have response if possible. Is there any scheme under grants for marine farmers too?

  • A great scheme by the Government of Bougainville! I wish all world leaders act promptly in this time of adversity, letting go of their inhibitions. Small scale businesses and farmers are worst affected by the global pandemic, and it is the right time for the authorities to act appropriately.

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