Karamui

Prime Minister James Marape made this announcement when launching the PNG Cocoa of Excellence Show recently in Port Moresby.

The Karamui Road is one of 66 roads all over the country funded by the Marape Government into rural areas to help move people from subsistence farmers into a cash economy. 

The roads will enable them to move their cocoa, coffee, copra, vanilla and other cash crops to market. 

The symposium was a great opportunity for the farmers to showcase their produce to visiting delegates.  

Cocoa, a traditionally grown crop in the coastal areas, is now also grown in Karamui, which is known for growing coffee. 

Climate change and soil fertility is now seeing hybrid cocoa grow there.

Norman Mondo is a pioneer cocoa farmer from Karamui.

Seven years ago, Cocoa Board introduced the hybrid cocoa in Karamui.

He said due to climate and soil fertility, the pods from Karamui can have to 67 beans, compared to 35 in the coastal areas.