Coffee Industry Corporation

The district used to be the top coffee producer in the Southern Region up until the decline of government services in the area in recent years.

Coffee has grown wild in the district due to logistical challenges and loss of interest by farmers mainly due to high cost of transportation.

Coffee farmers from Tapini LLG expressed concerns on transporting coffee to the markets in Port Moresby.

A farmer pays K50 per bag to be transported to Port Moresby and K100 PMV fare for himself.

The CIC Reserve Police Unit, consisting of 31 police reservists, passed out with flying colours on February 16.

The CIC made the initial approach to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) for the unit to be set up in a bid to protect the coffee industry as well as safeguard its assets and personnel at the CIC.

Commissioner Baki was happy that the CIC had forged this partnership with the RPNGC to address law and order issues in the country.

The Coffee Industry Corporation’s Productive Partnerships in Agriculture Project (coffee) is set to construct the 5km road.

Contract signing for construction of the Nombia-Bibiori road was at the Central Supply and Tenders Board (CSTB) office in Port Moresby on Friday, 20 October, 2017.

The road will service over 20,000 people of the Lamari LLG in the Tairora area of Obura-Wonenara to transport their coffee to the nearest Kainantu town. The area is known for producing very high quality organic coffee.

In a statement, the Coffee Industry Corporation said these officers have successfully passed an arduous and stringent international cupping examination process.

“They were part of a class of 12 who sat through a weeklong training and examination, organised by Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) at its Research & Growers Service Division at Aiyura Valley on 22-27 May, 2017.

This was the message from the National Agriculture, Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) and Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC).

Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) Secretary, Dr Vele Ila’ava, said the CBB National Emergency Response Committee notes that a total of 80 hectares is infested with CBB in Jiwaka and Eastern Highlands provinces.

“The NERC further notes that out of the total 80ha of farms affected, 3 farms in Jiwaka have 100 percent infestation and 60 farms in Asaro have less than 3 percent infestation.”

General Manager Grower and Research Services, Dr Mark Kenny, told Loop PNG  that samples of the CBB pest were sent to the University of Florida almost two months ago.

He said they are yet to receive results from their international partner.

Dr Kenny added the National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority (NAQIA) haa also sent samples to their international partners and are also awaiting results.

The meeting, which began yesterday and ends today, will include stakeholders from Western Highlands and Chimbu.

The CIC will be presenting an update on the CBB incursion and measures they and other authorities will be implementing and will also allow for feedback and suggestions as a way forward for the benefit of all players in the industry.

Eastern Highlands, however, has confirmed the presence of the CBB pest in Asari and Kamaliki, as initially discovered two months ago.

In a media statement, Coffee Industry Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Charles Dambui, said the delimiting surveys will continue as part of its surveillance exercise.

“We are now into the containment stage and this will basically involve looking at short term measures to address the problem.”

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