The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) is supporting landowners in Kikori, Gulf Province, to transform the area into a major cocoa producing hub.
The Omati Cocoa Project is an initiative developed by the MRDC and its subsidiary Gas Resources Pipeline. The project has been endorsed by the Cocoa Board of PNG, and will now begin distributing seedlings for planting.
Gas Resources Pipeline director Wauro Oumabe was presented with two certifications to certify the garden and nursery at the project meets all requirements for cocoa seedling cultivation and distribution.
Oumabe said work on the garden and nursery has been ongoing for the last three years, and the company is excited to be allowed to start tree planting.
“Our oil and gas resources will eventually deplete,” he said. “What comes next? Where will landowners turn? We must invest in sustainable alternatives. We have decided to invest in agriculture. We are excited about these cocoa projects, and its prospects.”
The interest in cocoa has grown steadily since work began at the garden and nursery, and the project is starting to see seedling requests come in from Southern Highlands, Baimuru and Kerema.
“We will start in the pipeline corridor area of Omati, Kerewo, Kibiri, Rumu and Barikewa,” Oumabe said.
“But there is growing interest (for cocoa) from people in Turama, Gorobe, Baimuru and Ihu. Even Kerema LLG and people in Erave and Kutubu (Southern Highlands) have requested us to supply seedlings.”
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