By Jack Lapauve Jr – EMTV News, Port Moresby
A vanilla buyer says the cost of trading vanilla has continued to rise in the past 3 years. Joshua Ani told EMTV News, despite there being no proper price regulations by authorities, many in the vanilla business struggle to keep the product in the market and support farmers.
He says the Agriculture Department must consider helping the small people by regulating the industry. “ We need support to grow the industry and support local farmers”, said Mr Ani.
Joshua is from Wingei, a village in the Yangoru-Saussia District of East Sepik Province. He buys dried vanilla beans and transports them to the Wutung-Border Post in West Sepik Province for trade. Mr Ani wants to see more support for vanilla farmers.
10 years ago, vanilla reached its peak with farmers earning a kilo for a grand or more. Now, the vanilla industry is struggling – no proper pricing and regulation of the product is one concern that traders like Joshua Ani faces.
West and East Sepik produces nearly three quarters of the vanilla to the world market.
https://youtu.be/hfcAe8e-G5w
