Managalas Plateau

Coffee grower asks for road repairs in Northern Province

Ese Development Association, Activity Coordinator and coffee farmer, Machara Otosi, told Loop PNG that the current road conditions are forcing coffee growers to sell their coffee beans at low prices.

The Numba villager said the very bad state of roads and distance meant that they sold their coffee at very low prices to individual buyers willing to make the journey up into the mountains.

Otosi said at one time he sold 20 50kg bags of coffee of which if sold at the market price between K5 and K10, he would have made between K5,000 to K10, 000.

Roads crucial for Managalas people

The sealing of roads within the plateau will see improvement in the transportation of cash crops to markets for better income generation.

Kingsford Nichoi from Numba Village in Ward Five of Zone Six says he and his people have struggled for years with the current road conditions.

He said  many local produce grown is wasted as they are unable to sell due to the road conditions.

“Rot em wanpla bikpla samtin lo mipla lo plateau.

Managalas Plateau considered for conservation to protect Birdwing butterfly

The endangered Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing butterfly is endemic to the area.

Minister for Environment and Conservation John Pundari said PNG has a lot of endangered species and conservation is very important.

Pundari explained that while the plateau is considered for conservation, finding alternatives for the people to sustain their livelihood is a challenge.