Commerce and Trade Minister, Richard Maru, has called on Morobeatn lLeadersto supporttheir people inthe creation of agriculture cooperatives to pave way for maximum returns.
He addedthe government will only support cooperatives with competent boards and managements.
Much of Morobe’s vast Agricultural potential remains untapped and this is largely because of a lack of organization.
The Commerce and Trade Minister who was in Morobe overthe weekend is now calling on Morobe’s political lLeadersto begin working togther to helptheir people formtheir large agricultural cooperative.
Richard Maru visitedthe Watut area were cocoa has been grown.In Beana he spoke to coffee and vegetable farmers.
People alongthe lower region of Watut are growing large volumes of cocoa butthe region remains isolated.
There are no roads connecting this part of Morobe to Lae city. They can only ferry limited amounts of cocoa on motorized dug-out canoes alongthe meandering stretchesthe river tothe nearest buyer. Fuel costs eat up 90% oftheir profits.
They’ve also become members ofthe fair trade international, an organization that is facilitatingthe payment of higher prices for their coffee.
Maru’saysthe advantages of establishing cooperative should be recognized and promoted by Morobe’s MP’s.
Scott Waide, National EMTV News – LAE
https://youtube.com/watch?v=JUaDtCX9-yU%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
