Womens’ group expand cocoa project

THE Awilunga Mama Cocoa project in Huon Gulf, Morobe, has four major cocoa plots holding more than 18,000 cocoa trees.
The group was established in 2016 by women from Esso Mountain, ward 11, in Wampar local level government (LLG), Morobe.
They are expecting 10,000 seedlings from Kokopo, East New Britain to increase its cocoa trees.
They first harvested cocoa in 2018 and sold over 12 tonnes of dried cocoa beans to PNG-based buyer Outspan Ltd PNG.
The group has 8,000 nursery seedlings ready to be planted to boost production.
They would need to build a second fermentry or upgrade the existing one to cater for the increasing amount of beans.
Awilunga director and financier Taga Tipeo said the project aimed at providing an income for families through cocoa farming.
“It is a project that mothers take the lead in and they have a bigger dream with the project which has gained support from landowners of the particular area that we reside on,” she said.
Between March and September, the group produced the most amount of cocoa beans in the district.
The group is comprised of 80 women and are increasing that number to 200 farmers in the future and would obtain an export licence to sell their cocoa directly to overseas markets.