Patrick Komba has been appointed as the new chairman of the Coffee Industry Corporation Limited (CICL)’s board of directors.
Komba takes over from outgoing chairman, Joseph Kom.
The new chairman called on all board members to forgo personal interest and focus on serving the interest of between 3 and 4 million growers and all stakeholders in the coffee value chain, including processors and exporters.
The Secretary for Department of Agriculture & Livestock, Dr Vele Pat Illa’ava, speaking on behalf of government representatives on the CICL Board, welcomed the election of Komba.
Komba is not a stranger to the coffee industry.
He has been a coffee farmer since and a successful entrepreneur. He is also a lead partner of CIC’s Productive Partnerships in Agriculture Project (PPAP), serving 804 farmers under the coffee rehabilitation project.
Komba is a former CICL board chairman who also serves on other statutory boards. He is well versed in the socio-economics, politics and cultural dynamics of various industries in the agriculture sector.
He brings a wealth of experience with a track record of competent and accountable leadership to the coffee board to drive the agriculture sector, as per Alotau Accord II.
Komba is the director representing smallholder coffee growers in Enga and others (New Ireland and East New Britain) on the Coffee Industry Board.
The former chairman will continue to serve as a director on the CICL Board representing Simbu Smallholder Coffee Growers Association.