Coffee rehab work extends to Enga

THE coffee component of Productive Partnerships in Agriculture Project (PPAP) will help close to 2,000 farmers in Enga Province.
This follows the signing of agreement between Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) and Lead Partners (LPs), Wapenamanda Coffee Factory Ltd and Niugini Sustainable Energy Solutions Ltd in Wabag on Thursday 7 July, 2016.
The contract agreements totalling K2,797,077 pave the way for respective LPs to carry out rehabilitation work which includes improving the farmers’ rundown coffee gardens, set up nurseries to raise coffee seedlings and start improved post-harvest practices in cluster groups.
The LPs will also facilitate farmer training in selected topics like in business management skills, conduct farm book/record keeping, and carry out HIVAIDS and gender equality training with farmers and their families.
Wapenamanda Coffee Factory Ltd will service 800 households or farmers covering 280 hectares in Wapenamanda, Wabag, Lower Lai and Tsak Valley. Niugini Sustainable Energy Solutions Ltd will work with 1,170 households covering 410 hectare mostly in Kompiam/Ambum and Wabag Districts.
“Many projects come and end in Western Highlands. This is the first for World Bank and IFAD to reach remote places like Enga,” says Lead Partner Patrick Komba of Wapenamanda Coffee Factory Ltd.
“Other projects will follow the hallmark of how well we implement this project. There will not be any continuity if we don’t do well with honest reporting.”
Colleague Lead Partner Peter Yakos of Niugini Sustainable Energy Solutions Ltd welcomed the opportunity saying it will help to develop the capacity of farmers in Enga.
“We will not own the whole world and all the money but can use opportunities like this to have a purpose in life.”
The CIC-PPAP Manager Potaisa Hombunaka, reminded the LPs, Co Partners and farmers including councillors at the signing ceremony that the success of PPAP model depends on productive partnership.
“The CIC including PPAP consultants and its extension officers, Provincial DAL officers in the province must liaise and work together to deliver this project.
“I encourage the provincial government and LLGs to also support to build roads and bridges for farmers to have easy access to markets and social services.
“Together we take ownership of this project to build the capacity of our farmers to improve their lives.”
Enga is one of four (4) new provinces the coffee rehabilitation work is extending its coverage under Call 3 Proposals. Other new provinces are Southern Highlands, Morobe and East New Britain.
PPAP is a CIC project through the Department of Agriculture & Livestock financed by a loan facility from World Bank (IDA) and IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) with counter-funding from PNG Government.