Komperi Valley, Eastern Highlands | Friday, May 16, 2025 — More than 500 members of the Touching the Untouchables (TTU) – Krevanofi Women Coffee Farmers (KWCF) group in the Komperi Valley of Eastern Highlands Province have received a major boost to their coffee operations through a K856,000 investment under the PNG Government and World Bank-supported CICL-PACD Project.
The support, delivered through the Coffee Industry Corporation Ltd (CICL) – Papua New Guinea Agriculture Commercialization and Diversification (PACD) Project, includes distribution of coffee seedlings, a newly constructed coffee training centre/ storage shed, wet mill, water supply system, coffee pulpers, and essential tools such as pruning saws, secateurs, and grass knives. This investment is designed to enhance productivity, quality, and income for women-led coffee farming households in this part of the Highlands. It is normally known as a notorious part of the Highlands Highway.
Lead Partner Ms Esther Silas, in her address on Friday, May 16, 2025, provided a detailed account of the progress made through PACD’s support. She explained how the project had enabled the establishment of a resource centre with training and storage facilities, supported with funding across several phases — K50,000 for the initial office setup, K30,000 for the resource building, and K60,000 for the wet mill, which is now 80% complete.
“This building has become the heart of our training and mobilisation,” Ms. Silas said. “We’ve already trained 530 farmers in Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) management, and now we are progressing with coffee quality training.”
She also highlighted the transformative impact of the water supply component, funded with K40,000, which now benefits over 2,000 people in more than 10 hamlets.
“For the first time, many of our families have access to clean water at their doorsteps,” she said. “This project is more than infrastructure—it has inspired our people. Farmers are expanding their coffee gardens from the initial 55 seedlings to as many as 2,000 trees each.”
Ms. Silas thanked the project team, CICL, PACD officers, and the visiting guests: “You see all these children here today — they are the future. This project is changing lives and building foundations for the next generation.”
CIC-PACD Project Manager Mr Potaisa Hombunaka praised the Krevanofi women for their discipline and accountability, noting that they were one of just 24 lead partner groups selected across PNG to benefit from the PACD initiative.
“This project is not just about money or infrastructure—it’s about transforming lives and empowering communities,” Mr Hombunaka said. “You were chosen because of your hard work, honesty, and commitment. This is only the beginning. The next three to five years will show the true fruits of what we’ve planted together.”
World Bank PACD Task Team Leader Mr Allan Oliver commended the community-driven model demonstrated by the Krevanofi group, calling it a blueprint for success.
“This project was built to revive the coffee industry starting from the farmer, and what we see here is that vision becoming a reality,” he said. “Not only are families earning better incomes, but coffee is bringing peace to communities once affected by conflict.”
Mr Oliver also praised the indispensable role of women in the project’s success.
“Without women, nothing moves. You have created a functioning nursery, a training center, and mobilised over 500 farmers. Today, we recognise your strength and innovation.”
Although the PACD Project is scheduled to conclude by the end of this year, Mr Oliver described this moment not as an ending but a new beginning.
“You are now the authors of the next chapter. What the project has started with you, you will continue — stronger and more united.”
The event was attended by representatives from the World Bank, CICL, PACD Project team, and key government departments. The ceremony was widely celebrated as a landmark in women-led agriculture, inclusive rural development, and sustainable coffee production in Papua New Guinea.
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