Floats marked the start of the second Cocoa of Excellence show in Lae today as the 3-day bi-annual event is expected to be bigger and better following from the first one in Kokopo in May 2017.
Tagged as the “2019 PNG Kumul Bilong Morobe Cocoa of Excellence Show”, the event is expected to attract thousands of cocoa enthusiasts including cocoa farmers, cooperative groups, cocoa buyers, cocoa processors, exporters, and key industry players and stakeholders.
Friday’s official program expects the presence of Morobe Governor, Ginson Saonu, and the National Planning and Implementation Minister, Richard Maru – both of whom are guest of honors.
Sanctioned by the Cocoa Board of PNG, the events other speakers will include 1 of the 3 Vice Ministers for Agriculture, Henry Amuli, Morobe Provincial Administrator, Bart Ipambonj and David Wissink of Wapi Golpu Joint Venture.
CEO of the Cocoa Board of PNG, Mr. Boto Gaupu, is expected to present an overview of the show and the Cocoa Industry Report Card.
National Cocoa Sampling and Tasting Competition Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, prior to the ceremony which Cocoa Board’s Post Harvest and Marketing officer, Mr. Kenny Francis to give a brief on the competition Certificate of Participation to CB Coordinators Certificate of Recognition to 30 top farmers.
In total, there are 7 categories of cocoa awards which shall include a category for:
- an overall winner
- 1st runner up
- 2nd runner up,
- the best male award,
- best female award,
- best youth award, and
- best co-operative award
The top best local producers of cocoa will be exposed at the bi-annual international cocoa awards at the Salun Du Chocolat in Paris, France, in November, 2019.
The event will be staged at the St. Ignatius stadium.
Source: Media Release
