Sir Peter: Stop tribal fights, embrace coffee

ENGA GOVERNOR Sir Peter Ipatas has urged his people to stop tribal fighting and embrace coffee improvement work to sustain their livelihood.
“We must embrace this gesture in the form of coffee funding rehabilitation and stop tribal fights so more orsimilar assistance can come into the province.”
Sir Peter urged his people to work together, invest their time into income-generating ventures and wanted more young people to take on initiatives such as this coffee project.
He was officiating at the launching of a tool and material distribution ceremony in Kompiam District last month.
Sir Peter reiterated collaboration between the project and agriculture officers from the province and district level because this was a partnership project.
The coffee tools were distributed by private sector firm, Niugini Sustainable Energy Solutions Ltd, a lead partner of Coffee Industry Corporation’s Productive Partnerships in
Agriculture Project (CIC-PPAP), undertaking industry rehabilitation in the district.
Tools and materials distributed to the farmers were spades, knives, files, bow sows, bow saw blades, secateurs or scissors for pruning, canvas for parchment drying and coffee hand pulpers.
The items are provided at a subsidised cost (5 per cent of total cost) as an intervention an industry rehabilitation programme to help farmers increase production of quality coffee.
Sir Peter thanked World Bank, IFAD and PNG Government for funding the project with K1.37 million on tranche basis.
He also acknowledged the PPAP coffee project manager Potaisa Hombunaka and staff for supporting his people through this coffee development initiative.
Sir Peter was happy to see two young men from Enga – Dick Nemabi and Peter Yakos – successfully take on this project as lead partners.
The lead partner is serving 1170 farmers covering 409 hectares in Kompiam District to rehabilitate their gardens.
Bernard Pilon, Component 2 Coordinator for Western Zone attended the ceremony on behalf of CIC-PPAP.
He urged the farmers to sustain themselves with income from coffee sales and other income earning options.
He emphasized the need for farmers to embrace change with the challenge to improve their way of living.
He said financial literacy and saving of income earned were important activities for the farmers to realise their dreams.
The gathering was witnessed by Enga provincial officials including provincial directors of Education, Law and Order, Finance, and PPAP Board or Industry Coordination Committee member and Director of Agriculture.
Project Manager Potaisa Hombunaka said marketing infrastructure inclusive of roads was critical for coffee development work.
“We hope the presence of the governor as this important gathering will lead into productive partnership with provincial government and district development authorities to plan for and fund road access for farmers and also the populace at large to easily access socioeconomic services.”