Tuesday April 27th 2021
The Marape Government’s Cocoa Price Support Programme will increase cocoa production in Morobe, says PNG Cocoa Board CEO Boto Gaupu.
He said this on Monday (April 26th2021) when launching the programme in Morobe at Munum Village, Markham Valley, on behalf of Agriculture and Livestock Minister Hon. John Simon.
As of Monday, according to Mr Gaupu, K200,000 had been expended on cocoa price support in eight districts of Morobe with the exception of Menyamya.
Mr Gaupu said Morobe’s current cocoa production was 4500 tonnes valued at K30 million.
He said K19 million of this went directly into the pockets of farmers.
“Over the last 10-15 years, it (cocoa production in Morobe) averaged 800 tonnes to 1000 tonnes,” Mr Gaupu said.
“I can tell you now that it has increased to 4400 tonnes, which is equivalent to K30 million in export revenue.
“Of this K30 million, K18-K19 million goes into farmers in the districts.
“Cocoa also generates other economic activities such as stores, PMVs and others, and also contributes GST to the Government.”
Mr Gaupu said Markham District was currently leading cocoa production in Morobe with half of total production in the province.
“We (Morobe) are a new frontier (of cocoa) after East New Britain, Bougainville and East Sepik – which is currently leading production in the country,” he said.
“I am confident that Morobe, with the support of all of you (farmers), can go up to 10,000 tonnes – which will bring in more than K100 million into the province.”
Mr Gaupu said it was the direction of Minister Simon that beneficiaries of price support must be farmers in the villages.
“We will not involve exporters (in price support),” he said.
“Exporters are there to get the volume that we create and make their sales.
“Benefits will go down directly to the villagers.
“This is one thing that this Government has brought about.”
Mr Gaupu thanked Prime Minister Hon. James Marape for creating the price support programme.
“He (PM Marape) has said that he wants to see results before he pumps in more money,” he said.
“Sustainability or continuation of this programme depends on all of us.
“If we do not perform, we spoil our chance of more support for the price we receive.”
Mr Gaupu said there was nothing stopping Morobe from increasing its cocoa production.
“We in Morobe have a large landmass, all the accessibility and everything in the world,” he said.
“Let us take this time and opportunity to go into agriculture, especially cocoa, to better our standard of living in the villages.”