Coffee extension officers to meet in Aiyura

Coffee extension officers will attend a training workshop on essential farming and processing techniques for farmers in Papua New Guinea.

The Productive Partnerships in Agriculture Project (PPAP), operating under Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) will facilitate the training workshop on 22-26 February at the CIC’s PNG Coffee Research Institute in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands Province.

Close to 30 participants are expected to attend.

The purpose of this exercise is to improve and strengthen the capacity of extension officers who are key personnel on the ground to train growers and farmers on improved farming techniques and sustainability issues.

There are now only two extension officers per province. This is being addressed by CIC through its rehabilitation efforts under PPAP.

Participants for the training will represent Lead Partners of PPAP like Monpi Coffee, Coffee Connections, Tarebo, NGHCE, CDA Goroka, CDA Gumine, Kosem, Timbuka and PAMSL.

The training will focus on the important role of an extension officer, understanding coffee varieties (arabica and robusta), coffee rehabilitation involving management of young and old coffee trees and management of nurseries.

The course will also cover harvesting process in wet and dry mill processing, cupping processes, CIC programs, marketing, certification and standards.

PPAP Project Manager Potaisa Hombunaka said the training is important because the big plantations that used to provide training for extension officers are gone.

“Therefore it is incumbent on us (CIC) to roll our more extension officers who are important persons on the ground to facilitate rehabilitation of coffee to sustain the industry, including the livelihood of our rural farmers.”

 

Author: 
CHARLES YAPUMI