Plantations

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, John Simon made these remarks during a meeting with Wahgi Mek shareholders and Jiwaka Governor, Dr William Tongamp, in Banz on Friday Feb 4, 2022.

He said it is in the best interest of Jiwaka and Papua New Guinea that the rundown Wahgi Mek Plantations are revived.

Wahgi Mek Ltd is jointly owned by South Wahgi LLG, North Wahgi LLG and Hunter Richard Hagon. It was once the single biggest coffee exporter in the country until it ceased operations due to landowner disputes.

Today, representatives from various commodity boards met with Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Wera Mori, to begin a consolidated effort towards the agenda.

Mori said the idea to revive plantations under the cooperatives’ structure is part of the government agenda to revitalise the economy through commodity based exports and less reliance on the extractive industry.

He added the cooperatives’ society structure will also see a communal based ownership of resources and businesses, and not by only a particular group such as landowners.