The Autonomous Bougainville Government is seeking to increase agricultural revenues by strengthening cocoa production, regulation and downstream processing across the region.
Speaking at the 2026 Bougainville Chocolate Festival in Buin, Minister for Primary Industry Clarence Dency said agricultural commodities should become a leading source of fiscal revenue for Bougainville and called on development and donor partners to support the government’s strategy to add value to agricultural products.
Dency urged cocoa farmers to maintain high-quality production and commended farmers in South Bougainville for contributing to the region’s highest cocoa production output.
He said the festival, established in 2016, provides a platform for cocoa farmers, industry representatives, legislators, exporters, development partners and communities to exchange knowledge, promote quality cocoa and create business and fair-trade opportunities.
Chief Secretary's representative Belinda Lanbong separately called on donor partners to strengthen support for ABG’s efforts to develop a sustainable cocoa industry from farming through to downstream processing.
At the farmers’ seminar, ABG Department of Commerce, Trade and Industry official Raymond Moworu outlined the potential role of Special Economic Zones in attracting investment, creating jobs and turning local commodities into higher-value products.
Moworu highlighted plans for the proposed Soraken Special Economic Zone, including a cocoa liquor processing facility with an annual capacity of 10,000 tonnes.
Cocoa liquor is a processed cocoa paste used in chocolate manufacturing and represents a further stage of processing beyond the production and export of cocoa beans.
Moworu said economic zones could support businesses through improved infrastructure and simpler administrative processes while creating opportunities for local people to gain skills and establish supporting businesses.
He also identified land access, environmental impacts and governance as issues requiring careful management, stressing that successful economic zones would depend on sustained political commitment, sound planning and implementation capacity.
Meanwhile, James Butubu, chief compliance officer of the Bougainville Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority, outlined efforts to strengthen cocoa regulation, quality and marketing.
The regulatory framework includes licensing across the cocoa supply chain, from nurseries and fermentaries to bean dealers and exporters. It also emphasises quality assurance, traceability and sustainability standards needed to meet international market requirements.
Butubu provided updates on compliance monitoring, officer training and the development of inspection and laboratory facilities. Facilities are located in Buka and Toniva/Arawa, while an inspection and laboratory facility is planned for Buin.
Funding, staffing capacity, data management and coordination with national commodity bodies remain challenges to implementation, according to the presentation.
Future priorities include strengthening research and extension services, improving marketing infrastructure and working with stakeholders and investors to advance local cocoa processing.
The discussions highlighted the link between improving cocoa quality and developing downstream processing, as Bougainville seeks to retain more value from its agricultural commodities within the region.
