by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
Since its establishment in 1963, Coffee Industry Corporation has partnered with several government departments to develop partnerships that pave way for sustainable initiatives to help rural coffee farmers in and around Papua New Guinea.
Through its Coffee Freight Program, CIC has reached out to many remote parts of the country- helping farmers to transport their coffee produce to nearest markets where they are sold.
And so far, many farmers have seen good outcomes from the service provided by CIC through its freight program, but not all are able to see this services. With many facing transportation and access to market struggles, many rural farmers at the end of the day, earn less from their produce.
In an effort to help these farmers provide necessary infrastructure including dry processing mills, CIC has extended its partnership to provincial governments. So far, Morobe and Hela have signed this partnership with CIC to develop partnerships, and allow CIC to facilitate where necessary to help the farmers.
And now adding to the list, is the Gulf Provincial Government.
Today, Gulf Governor, Havila Kavo, together with some of his representatives, signed a Memorandum Of Understanding. The signing was witnessed by officers from CIC and Gulf Province.
The signed MOU now creates a pathway for CIC to carry out feasibility studies at Kaintiba and Koitanga. From the studies, assessments will determine what infrastructure should be developed and brought to the locals to help boost their farming operations.
Gulf provincial government allocated K1 Million for this initiative. A dry processing mill is one proposed infrastructural development that is needed in the area and is most likely, will be built to make transportation easier for the farmers who are still struggling with transportation and access to markets.
CEO of CIC, Charles Dambui, when commending Governor Kavo on the initiative, further urged other provincial governments, from this initiative, to also step in to partner with CIC, to bring sustainable initiatives to help farmers in the rural areas who are struggling with transportation and access to proper markets.
Related articles: CIC’s Coffee Freight Program Benefits Local Coffee Growers
