Coffee export earnings of 2012 totaled K478 million, a drop of 48% in 2011 and 8% lower than 2010.
Chief Executive Officer Navi Anis revealedthese in a brief annual report circulated to staff and industry players recently.
Mr. Anis saidthe lower volume was mainly attributed to off-year biennial production cycle and election related activities that disrupted farmers to bring coffee out tothe markets.
He said despite a strong export performance observed inthe first quarter of 2012, actual coffee production in 2012 could not sufficiently support exports due to low volumes of coffee reachingthe markets.
He said despite this facto2013 is an on-year forPNG in its biennial cycle of coffee production, and is anticipated for a good crop of 1 million-bag mark level.
Measures taken to boost production this year include Coffee Rehabilitation exercises, Coffee Nursery projectoCoffee Freight Schemend Grower Mobilisation exercises, said Mr. Anis.
Meantime, government has allocated 3 million kina underthe Freight Surety Schemeill assist small holder coffee farmers for 5 years for smallholder coffee farmers.
Mr. Anis said this funding boost should assist farmers gettheir produce out to markets.
He also called on MP’sin coffee growing districts and LLGs to look atthe plight of farmers in terms of market accessibility and assistthem in building proper road networks and maintaining seaports and airstrips.
Bernadette Efi, National EMTV News
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gWK9MU_DGfg%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
