Pomio to export cocoa to Japan

An exciting opportunity to export quality cocoa to Japan has opened up for the people of Pomio District, East New Britain Province.

Communities in Pomio district produce large amounts of cocoa but are isolated and lack access to transport infrastructure, making it difficult to supply their products to international markets.

With the recent signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding, these communities who are part of the Tavolo Wildlife Management Area, are now pioneering a new business venture that will see high quality cocoa exported directly to Japan.

Member for Pomio, Minister Elias Kapavore, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, as Chair of the Pomio District Development Authority, with the United Nations Development Programme. Along with the Government’s Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, the United Nations will support communities benefit longer-term from this opportunity.

Under the Memorandum, the United Nations Development Programme will continue to provide technical and business training. This training will aim to improve the supply chain that supports the production and delivery of cocoa to markets in a sustainable way, ensuring communities can balance their livelihoods with protecting the natural environment.

At the signing, Minister Kapavore said: “This work demonstrates the innovation of our communities to look for opportunities. The United Nations Development Programme has been a critical partner for us in this work.

“They have invested heavily in these communities. We hope that we can replicate this with other communities in our province and even around the country.”

Tracy Vienings, Deputy Representative of United Nations Development Programme, added: “This shows what sustained commitment and investment in communities can produce. The people of Pomio have taken a bold initiative to seek out opportunities. This is a great example of what can be achieved when communities come together.”

Under the Memorandum, the Pomio District Development Authority will allocate K200,000 for 2018-2019 to support the establishment of a premium cocoa initiative. The District will also bring in technical expertise from other relevant government departments, including the Cocoa Board, to support and run this as a business cooperative.

The United Nations Development Programme will provide an additional K450,000. This funding is made possible with support from the Global Environment Facility.

Author: 
Press Release