Alotau district supports coffee freight

Alotau District Administrator Wilson Hilary and Niugini Aviation Service Ltd Robert Bauwe put pen to paper for coffee freighting agreement (NBC News)

A recently signed agreement by Alotau District and local freight company Niugini Aviation will assist Alotau's coffee farmers bring produce in the hinterlands, out to market.

Alotau Open MP Ricky Morris confirms he has been informed coffee production is healthy up in Daga, Alotau District’s mountain area, but bringing it to Port in Alotau for export continues to be their biggest hurdle.

The national government’s freight subsidy can only do so much, and the district has decided to support this endeavor in the long run.

They've signed an agreement with Niugini Aviation for K1million- a kina for kina arrangement with National Government under the Dept of Agriculture and Livestock to show they are serious about helping their coffee farmers.

Daga coffee bags unloaded at Gurney (Image: Supplied)

He says they've always been committed to support rural farmers and will be engaging their PAC P-750 rugged plane that can carry 20 to 30bags of coffee at any one time.

Local farmer and Chairman Nenuma Cooperative Society Graydon Puinam has funded coffee freighting through external support and has welcomed this news.

This project is driven by the need for greater market access and will consolidates the District's support to the National Government's existing coffee freight subsidy program under DAL.