Nearly 100 bags of dry coffee beans were set alight recently by frustrated coffee farmers in Goilala District of Central Province.
Farmers say the lack of assistance by levels of Government and relevant authorities has pushed them to destroy the coffee bags.
Mathew Abadi, a coffee buyer, has been purchasing wet beans from local farmers in the area and repacks them for sale in Port Moresby.
However, this has not been the case with over 100 bags stored in his warehouse due to lack of proper transportation.
Despite most farmers around Papua New Guinea operating successfully, and enjoying the benefits of the coffee industry, Mathew and other farmers say their efforts are wasted as they burn the coffee bags that have been stored for nearly five years.
Abadi says this is the fourth time tonnes of dry coffee beans are burnt and it’s been hurting for them to destroy what they work hard for to earn a living, and support local farmers in the area.
They are now calling on the local MP, William Samb, and the Department of Agriculture & Livestock to assist transport their produce to the market.
Goilala District is situated in of PNG’s toughest landscape, but local MP William Samb says the District is prioritising road infrastructure, but need more funding to build and connect rural communities.
