Society first in Morobe to grow galip

THE Labuta Cocoa Cooperative Society will be the first local farmers’ cooperative in Morobe to farm galip, says an official.
The acting programme adviser with Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), Ken Elonaga, said on Saturday that galip farming in the province is the first of its kind.
“New Guinea Islands have been growing galip, but for Morobe, this year is the first time,” he said.
“We got the seeds from Kerevat in East New Britain.
“According to research, that variety is the recommended variety that has qualities that will meet market standards.
“We were advised to get that variety only, and to grow it in Morobe and in areas where it is conducive to galip farming.”
He said 12,000 seedlings were germinated and then transplanted into a greenhouse.
“A total of 11,500 are now in the greenhouse. The others died or didn’t do well,” he said.
“It is the first of its kind, in a large scale, about 3000. Now we have given them to this cooperative in Labuta LLG of Nawaeb for distribution.
“The first 2000 seedlings we brought will be transported by ship to the farmers and the other 1000 will be delivered to farmers that can be accessed by road such as in Tikeleng and Buhalu.”
Elonaga said the DAL was focused on building the capacity of farmers in group settings, such as in associations and cooperative societies.
“The focus is to help farmers grow in cooperative groups so that we can build the capacity for production and consistency for the supply in market,” he said. “We are doing it in Nawaeb, but we will also roll out to other districts that have a favourable environment to incorporate galip into their current farming systems, such as Huon Gulf and Markham.
“So we will do another nursery and distribute to farmers in cooperatives in those areas.
“The next cooperative we will distribute to is the Lower Watut Cocoa Cooperative Society.”
Labuta Cocoa Cooperative Society managing director Reuben Yapi said the cooperative has 2000 farmers across the Labuta Coastline and up to Burum/Kuat and Yabem/Mape in Finschhafen.
“We will be the first cooperative to farm galip and our farmers will receive the seedlings (starting today),” Yapi said.
“Cocoa pot borer is here to stay. We cannot wait until we are attacked and run around looking for help.
“We have to grow a complimentary tree to sustain our farmers. If there is a downfall in cocoa, at least our farmers can receive some form of income with galip nut, and gradually sustain them until we get the cocoa disease rectified.
“We are doing everything possible to economically sustain our farmers all throughout the year, so they can earn and sustain their living.”