Coffee Cooperative societies receive certificates to maximize production

The three cooperative societies in the Eastern Highlands province [EHP], registered under Coffee Industries Cooperation [CIC] have received their certificates from the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in PNG, Wale Molumi earlier this week.

They include Nivi Coffee Cooperative Society of remote Nivi Village in the Upper Benna Local Level Government [LLG], Kamusi Community Development Cooperative Society of Kamusi Village in Goroka District and Watabung Coffee Cooperative Society Limited.

These certificates were received through Coffee Corporation Crusade program run by PNG Agriculture Commercialization and Diversification [PACD] project, a project under CIC funded by World Bank.

This will now pave the way for an increase in production in coffee, maximize growth and create employment opportunities for hundreds of parents, youths and boost the economy of the province and the country.

According to PACD project Manager Potaisa Hombunaka, the total number of registered cooperative societies in EHP and Simbu province is up to twenty-four.

Mr. Hombunaka said coffee cooperative societies play a vital role in the coffee industry, particularly for smallholder farmers. These cooperatives will now help the farmers access resources, improve quality, and gain better market access.

Sharing similar sediments, Cooperative Societies Registrar Wale Molumi said the certificates will allow the group to increase the quality and maximize the volume of coffee production.

Mr. Molumi said the certificates, presented under Cooperative societies (Amended) Act of 1985, will now increase the coffee production hence fulfilling the government's target of creating one million jobs and effectively contribute to meet the government's target of achieving K200 billion economy] by 2030.

“Cooperatives are the way forward as it involves families’ clans and communities that contribute land, money and manpower,” Molumi said.

Meanwhile Coffee is a major cash crop in both the Eastern Highlands and neighbouring Simbu, Jiwaka and Western Highlands provinces of Papua New Guinea, with Eastern Highlands being the second largest producer. 

These provinces are situated in the highlands, where ideal altitudes and climate conditions, including high rainfall and cool temperatures, are suitable for Arabica coffee cultivation. 

CIC anticipates to ensure coffee growing Provinces in Papua New Guinea continue to grow and increase their production.