HIGHLANDS COCOA FARMERS JOIN SHOW

FM100 NEWS

Farmers in the Highlands region of Papua New Guinea are now growing cocoa, a commodity well known to be grown in the coastal regions of the country.

Several cocoa farmers from the Karamui district in the Chimbu province are currently participating in the 2019 Kumul Bilong Morobe Cocoa of Excellence Show which started on Thursday at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae and will conclude on Saturday.

Thanks to the Chimbu provincial government, ten private cocoa farmers made the trip down to Lae for their second time to participate in the festival sponsored by the Wafi Golpu Joint Venture.

A cocoa farmer Norman Mondo from Chimbu said the best cocoa producer in the country will receive K40 000 worth of cocoa dryer along with a solar panel installed.

Mr. Mondo added that the best cocoa producer will also have the chance to travel to France in November for the world cocoa bid and that will be a dream trip if they get picked.

Mr. Mondo is confident that the cocoa grown in the Highlands climate 1400 meters above sea level has a different flavor that can impress the organizers of the festival.

The common understanding to grow cocoa is that the land must be 600 meters above sea level however Chimbu farmers have set a record by producing cocoa at 1400m above sea level says Mr. Mondo.

Important delegates attending the festival include Morobe Governor Ginson Soanu, Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Richard Maru, PNG Cocoa Board CEO Boto Gaupu and Wafi Golpu Joint Venture Head of External Affairs David Wissink.