Over 50 cocoa farmers in the Wafi Golpu Area of Morobe province participated in a weeklong Farmer Training Needs Assessment (FTNA) survey conducted by USAID’s PNG Sustainable Landscapes (PNGSL) Program.
The assessment is part of a series of consultation meetings with local communities, farmers, the Morobe Provincial Administration, and various key stakeholders to improve sustainable farming through good agricultural practices.
The survey was coordinated by the Babuaf Farmers Cooperative Society (BFCS) with the support of the Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture with a focus on cocoa farming. The assessment aims to identify various farmer needs, sustainable land use, training, and capacity to help increase cocoa yields, improve the quality of cocoa, and provide access to potential market chains.
Since the establishment of the Babuaf Farmers Cooperative Society in 2017, registered farmers were able to grow their cocoa trees, harvest, and sell to the BFCS whilst others transported their dry cocoa beans to Lae to be sold.
Community leader and BFCSL Deputy Chairman Steven Jadah Utin in welcoming the PNGSL team highlighted the potential of Babuaf cocoa farmers to produce more cocoa, harvests capable of developing a chocolate factory.
“I believe in a strong partnership to increase value for our farmers to be able to increase cocoa production and improve their livelihood through training, knowledge capacity, and sustainable use of their land,” Mr Utin said.
PNGSL Private Sector Engagement Specialist Maureen Thomas said, “The cocoa farmers showcase resilience in their farming approach and need support in certain areas to boost their cocoa produce and quality. This survey assessment will help identify the relevant support areas to be provided through PNGSL to support existing efforts by the farmers in terms of market access, sustainable land use practices, and other training needs.”
The PNG Sustainable Landscapes program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Palladium supports the Government of Papua New Guinea’s efforts towards conservation, natural resource management, sustainable land use, and reduction of greenhouse gases.
