Madang records K63 million in cocoa revenue

Madang Province made a whooping K63 million from the cocoa industry last year.

According to the PNG Cocoa Board, this alone highlights the increasing significance of cocoa as an important source of income for local farmers in the province.

The Cocoa Board office in Madang made the announcement last week during the official distribution of cocoa seedlings and the launching of three new cocoa cooperatives under the Madang Provincial Cocoa Roll Out Partnership Project in Usino-Bundi district.

Branch Manager Abel Nepre said Madang’s cocoa sector continues to grow, contributing significantly to the national economy.

“Madang made K63 million last year, while PNG Cocoa Board generated K1.3 billion nationwide, and 98 per cent of that money came from local farmers,” Nepre said.

He sadid the success of cocoa production in East Sepik Province had also challenged Madang to increase production efforts and encourage more farmers to plant cocoa.

“After attending the Cocoa Expo in East Sepik, we saw how strongly Governor Allan Bird is supporting cocoa farmers there. East Sepik farmers planted around 20 million seedlings from polybags, and that has challenged us in Madang to do more,” he said.

The event also marked the official launch of three new cooperatives; Dumpu Kaigulan Cooperative in Usino LLG, Lower Bundi Cooperative [Bundi LLG], and Anarich Cocoa Cooperative in Gama LLG.

The initiative is supported by the PNG Cocoa Board, the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, and Kamapim Limited, with funding support from Madang Provincial Government.

Usino-Bundi cocoa coordinator Jones Simpson thanked the MPG for supporting local cocoa farmers through funding assistance.

“This support is putting money directly into the pockets of our farmers,” Mr. Simpson said.

Governor Ramsey Pariwa congratulated the newly launched cooperatives and encouraged people across the province to take up cocoa farming.

“If you work hard, the money and blessings will come to you. Cocoa is one way you can earn clean money,” Pariwa said.

He also encouraged farmers in other districts to form strong cooperatives to make it easier for the provincial government to provide support and assistance.

The governor has also announced recently that provincial government will be increasing cocoa funding to farmers this year to K2 million.

Last year, MPG gave K1 million through PNG Cocoa Board to help establish cocoa nurseries in the districts and distribute to farmers.

Pariwa, whilst welcoming back local farmers who represented Madang Province at the recent Cocoa Show of Excellence in Wewak, East Sepik Province, assured them of his government's commitment towards the industry by increasing cocoa funding this year by another million kina.

Pariwa believes Madang has the potential to increase cocoa production as well as improve its quality, however; this potential has not been fully exposed.