According to Coffee Industry Corporation Ltd (CICL) board chairman Jerry Kapka, the increase in the levy on green bean coffee exports from 10t to 20t per kilogramme is reasonable. “The increase is not same as 10t administrative levy. With the current scenario facing the coffee industry, the board has seen the need to have a reserved funding source assigned specifically for coffee development initiatives, including quality improvement and market accessibility,” Kapka said in a paid notice. “The additional 10t levy will be used under strict guidelines to help exporters, processors, plantations, block holders and smallholders’ associations to develop the industry. The additional levy was approved by representatives of all sector associations on the board. “The exporter, processor/plantation, block holder and smallholder, including Government representatives, have seen the merit of introducing the levy for coffee development to be deployed directly to impact the industry, unlike the administrative levies “The coffee development levy will be directly fixed to projects or programmes to support exporters, processors, plantations, block holders and smallholders and not only to increase production but also provide incentives to direct interests on coffee farming activities,” he added. CICL acting chief executive Charles Dambui said: “We cannot just expect all the time from Government/CICL to fix and address all our sector association’s issues. “We must be seen implementing some of the policies we made on the board as representatives of the associations. We cannot talk and watch things to happen or expect the Government to fix all our problems. “We want to know the standing of Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association who claimed to represent exporters, processors, smallholders and plantations. “The decision undertaken to increase coffee levy was made by the legitimate representatives of exporters, plantations, processors, block holders and smallholders of the coffee industry, appointed by the Government through their associations,” he added.   Reference: The National (22 March 2022). “Increase in coffee export levy ‘reasonable’ to develop industry”.

Photo: Rocky Roe - ABC According to Ambassador Jernej Videtic, the European Union (EU) is willing to provide Papua New Guinea with hundreds of millions of Kina to help the country complete its forestry reforms. “Some of the areas that the EU will help are in environmental data management for carbon trading, knowledge management, green jobs and growth, among others. “PNG holds one of the largest primary forests of the world,” Videtic said. Videtic, who spoke at the PNG Forest Authority’s workshop to celebrate the 2022 International Day of Forest 2022 said PNG was in danger of climate change. “Forestry, climate change and biodiversity are intrinsically connected specially for PNG,” he said. “We are aware that your forest not only serves PNG but Europe and the entire world. “We are ready to support PNG and allocate significant funds in the hundreds of millions of Kina for forestry, climate change and biodiversity programmes, three elements that cannot be separated,” he added. Solan Mirisim, the Minister of Forestry, stated that it was critical to use and manufacture wood in an environmentally responsible manner. “1.6 billion people depend on the forest for their livelihood and PNG is no exception,” he added. PNGFA managing director John Mosoro said the authority was also implementing changes, including the much-discussed log export development charge, to guarantee that revenues flow to forest resource regions.   Reference: The National (22 March 2022). “EU ready to help reform forestry”.

Photo: MP John Simon Local coffee  farmers of Robusta Coffee in PNG will now have the opportunity to export and sell their Robusta Green Beans to Dubai as talks to open trade between the two countries is set to become a reality. PNG’s Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, John Simon said PNG Robusta coffee will be selling at K10 per kilo which is equivalent to the price of Arabica Coffee which is currently selling double the price at the United Arab Emirates. Minister Simon said he had made arrangements to ship the first two bags of Robusta green beans in his District in MapriK, East Sepik Province to Dubai as part of an agreement with the Coffee marketer in Dubai. The minister said he travelled across the world to look for a potential market for coffee and having been told that there is a market for Robusta in Dubai is exciting news. “Robusta coffee is  not bought at the price it is worth. Because we are told that Robusta is low grade compared to Arabica, Well I have news for all the Robusta coffee growers in the country that we now have a market for you" Minister Simon Stated that “ Countries such as Jordan and Italy have a demand for this coffee right now as well as other parts of the world, they need Robusta to blend Arabica. Without Robusta there is no coffee”. He said on his trip to Dubai he was advised that PNG’s Robusta is organic and has a much better premium quality than that of Brazil and Vietnam (The two Biggest Coffee growing countries in the world) The minister said his duty now was to get policy papers in order to go before Cabinet and convince the government to open a  trading partnership with Dubai. Minister Simon has also called on the government to do away with the traditional trade system and address bio security as an effort to increase trade with other countries. "I understand that it is a long way including issues of trade however, We can look at better alternatives on how to get the Market off the ground"  "We need to change from our traditional trading partners and look elswhere. We have been doing business with them for so long. We cannot export coffee and  other Agricultural food to Australia because they have  bio-security issues. Australia has given us Aid after Aid but have not helped us with bio security issues" He said, Dubai has no Bio Security issues and and are ready to market any of PNG's agricultural products to the world.

Photo credit: Loop PNG Bougainville communities will benefit from a new K10 million grant to help 25 Bougainville cocoa cooperatives under the Bougainville Partnership Commodity Support Facility (CSF). The money provided to the Takuina Women's Business Group, according to Noelyn Lasua of the Takuina Women's Business Group, would yield positive outcomes for her cocoa cooperative. “The women believe the project will bring extra income to improve their lives – more children will have the chance to further their studies as families will have enough money for school fees and mothers anticipate growing their small business (liklik bisnis) activities once they have extra money from cocoa farming,” said Noelyn. The financing is part of the CSF grant's second phase, which aims to boost the cocoa industry, improve the livelihoods of roughly 1250 households, assist small businesses, and expand educational possibilities. This phase will have a special emphasis on women's economic empowerment, with direct funding going to five women-led organizations. The Memaya Women's Group was one of the successful grant applicants, and team leader Getrude Kinowo said the money will help farmers and families right away, as well as generate long-term reforms in their community. The CSF subsidies, according to Ms Kinowo, would help farmers boost harvests, enhance cocoa quality, and get access to new economic options. She said the CSF provides training and tools to help farmers improve their agricultural abilities and safeguard their crops from pests. “Cocoa farming will improve and cocoa pod borer will be reduced. Right now, production has dropped significantly due to the cocoa pod borer infestation,” she said.   Reference: Post-Courier (9 March 2022). “Cocoa Grant Will Boost Production in Bougainville”. 

The PNG Forestry Authority has struck a deal with Total Energies to build 10,000 hectares of industrial forest in the Varagadi district of Central Province. Within 20 years, the initiative aims to convert 800,000 hectares of main grasslands in PNG into industrial forest plantations. Goodwill Amos, director of the PNG Forest Research Institute, said Total Energies and PNG Forest Research Institute will collaborate on climate change concerns like carbon footprints and emissions reduction. “They are prosing for ten thousand hectares of grassland to develop in Kwila plantations. The varagadi area only contains 600 hectares.” “Part of the hectares to make up the ten thousand as wanted by Total Energies will be extended to Gulf and Bulolo in the Morobe Province,” he said. Varagadi is home to a population of 3,000 to 4,000 people, as well as 250 landowner representatives. Elliot Yamuje, chairman of Varagadi landowners, said the project will now enlist the help of local residents to plant trees. He went on to say that the initiative will assist not just financially, but also as a community in the battle against climate change. Other benefits to landowners include the establishment of a multi-state-of-the-art teak tree nursery. John Mosoro, the Managing Director of PNG Forestry, said that private investment through the Public Partnership is the way ahead and that Total Energies (PNG) Ltd's willingness and purpose are welcome and in line with the national government's objectives and goals. “Trees are acknowledged as an investment to mitigate increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the world’s atmosphere. The biological potential of plantation forests to sequester carbon can be scientifically estimated. Annual carbon storage in tropical forest plantations ranges from 0.8 to 24 t C per hectare per year.” Mr Mosoro went on to say that some outside cash will help them properly follow national government orders. “We appreciate the contribution by Total Energies to support PNG in establishing forest plantations towards meeting our budget,” he said. “The PNG Forestry Authority is committed to implementing the national government’s goals, objectives and priorities. We are committed to facilitating and maintaining a harmonious partnership with Total Energies in developing the forest plantations in Papua New Guinea.” The PNGFA's overall program goals include establishing 40,000 hectares of plantations every year with an average density of 400m3 per hectare on a 15 to 20-year cycle, yielding 16, 000, 000 m3 per year. At 3 jobs per hectare, forestry could generate 120, 000 jobs per year, or 2, 400 permanent employment in plantation forestry on 800,000 hectares. More jobs will be created in the harvesting, marketing, processing, and supporting infrastructure industries. Plantations will act as a carbon sink, storing 0.8 to 24 tons of carbon per hectare per year, depending on the tree variety. Each province will benefit from the establishment of at least one plantation, which will give employment, rural development, and a financial foundation.   Reference: Pacific Mining Watch (4 March 2022). “PNGFA signs MOU with Total Energies”.

Ango Wangatau, head of the National Fisheries Authority, said at the two-day National Tuna Fishing Sector consultation that inclusive government and private partnership investment is needed to strengthen the fisheries industry. In his keynote talk, Mr Wangatau stated that the key to growing and increasing demand in the fishing industry is to be inclusive by collaborating with the private sector. He pointed out that with the strategic plan in place, infrastructure is one of the important strategic sectors identified. “We believe that there is a problem for our village people to come and sell their fish,” he said. “Cost of exporting fish is very expensive so no one does that and participate in the industry. Fuel prices are so expensive, so competitive.” Mr Wangatau believes that the strategy plan, as well as legislative measures proposed at the NFA level, would pave the way for the establishment of a large hub quarantine with people from all over the country. “We will talk with our internal revenue friends, Customs, Water PNG, PNG Power, National Planning, Commerce and Industry and all other key government agencies to get a place where we can quarantine for the fishermen,” he said. “The benchmark that we have selected is Philippines and Thailand because they say that Thailand is the capital of Tuna.” He is very interested in finding ways for the country to compete with other countries.   Reference: Tom, Ptrick. Post-Courier (1 March 2022). “Fisheries Industry Needs Investment”.

Photo credit: David Shields According to an official, the reopening of the Porgera mine would allow the Enga Women in Agriculture Association (Ewaa) to produce honey and vegetables. Margaret Potane, the president of Ewaa, said the organization's goal was to get women in the province involved in honey production. “Following the signing of the agreement to reopen the Porgera mining between the landowners and the Government, this is a big boost for us to venture more into agriculture and tell the Government that ‘yes, we can provide our own food’,” she said. “Honey production is unique and we are aware of its costs so we want to venture into it so we prove to our provincial government and the Government that we can produce honey.” Potane added that the association could also train women to grow chili, tomatoes, capsicum, onion, garlic and other vegetables for market. “Most times we import vegetables and fruits to supply to our mines, this year, the Enga Women in Agriculture is taking the lead, showing a good example to other provinces that they can do it so we all can tap into agriculture,” she said. The collaboration between Ewaa and the climate-resilient green growth project team, according to Potane, has aided Ewaa's move into honey production.   Reference: The National (15 February 2022). “Association interested in honey-making”.

Improved availability of disease- and pest-resistant crops, as well as nutritious crop types, is helping the ABG Department of Primary Industries boost its food systems. Through the Pacific Regional Integrated Food and Nutrition Security Program to COVID-19 project, this initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Pacific Community Land Resources Division. Communities are working to save traditional food crops that are in danger of disappearing as part of the initiative. In the Central (Mabiri area), North (Tinputz region), and South (Tinputz area), food crops such as taro, sweet potato, banana, yam, capsicum, eggplant, and other traditional staple foods will be planted in established plots and newly created nurseries (Konga Siwai area). The selected towns will be given seed supplies and building materials for the nurseries as a result of this assistance. In a coordinated manner including the appropriate department and non-governmental organizations, the gathered varieties will be protected and appraised before being distributed to the districts. Kenneth Dovaro, Acting Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, said that securing finance for these initiatives was often difficult, and emphasized the importance of the partnerships and collaborations that made them feasible. “We are so pleased as a department to have this support and partnership with SPC (PRISCO-19 project). This initiative and support will go a long way in making sure that enough food crop varieties with desirable nutritional values are conserved and distributed to most farmers in need of food in a timely manner,” he said. In the north, atolls area, central and south of Bougainville, the initiative is expected to help over 50,000 farmers. Amos Lepasa, the DPI's Area Manager for Central Bougainville, said the project has drawn attention to an area of work that is typically disregarded. The initiative has assisted in addressing a shortage of resources and knowledge on upgrading food supply systems. ‘’This is a huge initiative and assistance, which was never anticipated before, and we’re very grateful to SPC and the PRISCO-19 project,” said Lepasa. “Our traditional food crops that were almost lost can now be conserved, multiplied and distributed to many people in our districts and communities.” “We will also use the set-up in the years to come in doing some basic applied crop research work.” This project has enabled people to maintain, save, and utilise their indigenous food crops, according to Petronila Tieng, a farmer from Siwai, South Bougainville. Simultaneously, they recognized the need for greater food types and variety in order to increase nutritional security. “We are happy to be able to use other introduced crops through these projects. With this development, we will be gathering our local food crops and others (varieties) that will be trialled here. Some of the local food crops have been lost through the process of urbanisation and commercialisation,” said Ms Tieng. The project, which is the first of its kind in Bougainville, promotes awareness about the need for a comprehensive program and comparable programs to help vulnerable communities cope with the effects of food insecurity.   Reference: Autonomous Bougainville Government (11 February 2022). “Bougainville strengthens food systems in response to COVID-19”. 

Photo: CIC Acting Chief Executive Officer Charles Dambui (seated left) and CEFI Executive Director Saliya Ranasinghe sign the MoU Documents. Witnessing the signing are CIC Company Secretary Wilma Banake (left standing) and CEFI Head Trainer Jill Pijui. The Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre of Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI). CIC Acting Chief Executive Officer Charles Dambui and CEFI Executive Director Saliya Ranasinghe signed the MoU in Port Moresby which will now enable the two organization to work in partnership to rollout financial literacy and financial inclusion to targeted coffee farming communities. This will allow savings culture introduced to coffee farmer’s households by teaching them how to make the right financial management decisions and allowing them to have access to a wide range of financial services that address their farming business or personal household needs.  The MoU will also allow CEFI to conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) to 100 CIC Extension Officers; 20 from each impact areas of the five regions including Upper Highlands, Lower Highlands, Momase, New Guinea Island and Southern. “A very historic occasion for Papua New Guinea (because) we are very proud that we are able to (sign this MoU) with the Coffee Industry Corporation because the coffee industry is one of the key industries in the country which brings in substantial revenue to the country,” said CEFI Executive Director Saliya Ranasinghe “We would like all Papua New Guineans to access to financial services which are delivered in a responsible and sustainable manner to improve farming activities and improve standard of living.” “We can make an impact if we work with economical active people.”  “What we sign today ((Wednesday February 09) ) will be one of the most critical activity for the farming communities whom you serve and we are extremely pleased and extremely grateful to the (CIC) CEO and his team for taking this initiative to partner with us (CEFI) to provide this important services to the farming communities,” Mr Ranasinghe said. CIC Acting Chief Executive Officer Charles Dambui said, “Coffee is grown in 18 of the 22 provinces and annually we generate 500-400 million kina into the country and over 55%-60% of that money goes directly to the farmers.”“(But) many of our farmers lack some knowledge when it comes to finance management. We want our farmers to be business man and women and not just subsistence farmers and the skills they are lacking is budgeting and savings.” “We have seen our coffee farmers pulling away from coffee because they do not have any money to invest back into the coffee garden and they do not have savings culture” “On behalf of the board and the management and the industry players we would like to thank CEFI, we will be working closely with CEFI to see that our farmers are financial literate,” Mr Dambui said.   Article courtesy of Centre of Excellence in Financial Inclusion

As of 2020, no new round log export permits have been awarded to foreign corporations, according to James Marape. He stated in Parliament that round log exports must cease by 2025. PM Marape stated this in response to queries from Hon. Ambunti-Drekikier, the Member of Parliament for Ambunti-Drekikier. Foreign enterprises exporting round logs, according to Johnson Wapunai. “My Government has a clear policy view (on round log exports),” he said. “There must be a time when we stop round log exports. “We must process our logs in-country. “That commitment still stands. “When we came in, we said that from 2020 onwards, there will be more issuance of licenses to new companies to export round logs. “The only exception will be local companies, national companies, landowner companies, provincial government companies. “That is the thinking of my Pangu Pati Government.” All current license holders must engage with the government to relocate into the downstream processing domain, according to PM Marape. He stated that he will provide a detailed scorecard on the policy's progress before the conclusion of the current Parliament in April.   Reference: PM James Marape News Page (18 Jamuary 2022). “PM Marape says no new round log export licenses since 2020”.

Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon believes that coffee and cocoa should be exported through a government organisation. Simon stated the private sector could not continue to export and suppress prices in response to concerns from Pomio MP Elias Kapavore. “I have talked to the department (Agriculture and Livestock) and the commodity boards to look at this and we are planning to come up with a policy that the raw products should be exported by a state agency,” Simon said. “The raw products, especially parchment coffee, green bean coffee, cocoa beans should be exported by a state agency. “This is so that we can also get involved in the market, the department has not been involved in the market.” He said that the commodities boards were solely involved in extension programs and other services, not in the selling of the country's agricultural products. “I have been having meetings with our commodity boards to get involved in the market,” Simon said. “We need to in order to get the right price, the correct price to our farmers. “The world prices are very good, the world has opened up. “We know what the prices are and there is no reason why our farmers should continue to get less than K5 or K6 on parchment coffee and cocoa as well. “The prices are out there, the population of the world has grown and the demand for coffee, cocoa and a lot of our commodities is very good.” Simon encouraged coffee and cocoa growers to continue to grow as the commodities were doing well on the international market.   Reference: The National (20 January 2022. “A state agency should export coffee, cocoa: Minister”.

Photo credit: Post Courier  The recently opened Voco Point Coastal Fisheries Hub has the potential to transform PNG's fisheries growth. Fisheries Minister Dr Lino Tom and Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu recently opened the K105 million project in Lae. The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) intends to rebuild its land holdings and properties at Voco Point so that it may serve as a hub for fish landing, processing, and distribution. NFA managing director John Kasu stated during the launch that a facility would be built to facilitate large-scale fish distribution. “The Voco Point fisheries hub project will take coastal fisheries development to another level,” he stated. “The project aims to become a main commercial hub for fishing groups in Morobe and the neighboring provinces like Oro, Manus, East New Britain and West New Britain.” Buyers or retail stores, including catering companies, would be present at the facility to purchase the catch of fishing cooperatives and SMEs, according to Kasu. “I know many of you may be wondering why NFA did not develop this project earlier on,” he said. “The concept became possible when NFA purchased this portion of land, which used to be under Lutheran Shipping, and then was transferred to Nasfund. “So we purchased this piece of land and thereafter, we began to develop the concept of setting up this fisheries hub.” The project will comprise a waterfront facility for landing, unloading, and selling fresh fish, as well as a facility for receiving, processing, and distributing frozen fish. On the other side of the road, an NFA office building will be erected. “The fisheries hub will be commenced with the invitation of tenders by the end of this month or early February,” said Kasu. “Selections of contractors will take place in March or April, and we anticipate the construction of the facility to begin in April or May of 2022. “It’ll take 18 months to completion so we’re anticipating that by October of next year, this whole setup will be in place.”   Reference: Loop (17 January 2022). “K105m Fisheries Hub Launched”.

According to PNG Forestry Industry Association (PNGFIA) president Bob Tate, the country's logging industry is depressed, with nothing on the horizon in the short term to instil confidence in industry players. According to Tate, the logging business has been hurt by ongoing tax reforms as well as a drop in market demand. He claimed the sector was currently generating roughly 2.5 million cubic metres per year, down nearly 50% from just under four million cubic metres. “The Government has taxed it (logging industry) out of existence,” Tate said. “It’s no longer sustainable. “In Western, Gulf and West Sepik, all factories are shut. Thousands of people have lost their jobs. “Mills of various sizes open and close quite often depending on supply and demand and in round numbers probably 20 to 25 medium size mills are operating.” According to Tate, the country used to have around 40 mills running. “No long supply, no mills operating. “The biggest sawmills relied on having big logging operations, if logging becomes unsustainable, then there is no logs to put in the factories. “Then there is the problem of where to sell them. “We are on the receiving end of the collapse in demand in the world market. “The industry is looking terrible, it is depressed with nothing on the horizon in the short term to give any confidence to industry players. “We have been over the years asked the government for a taxation regime in the forest sector that restores sustainability in the long term, the tax rules change now and then and increasing. “The government is now getting roughly 55 to 60 per cent of the industry turnover that’s unsustainable and driving industry to collapse.”   Reference: Luma, Dale. The National (14 January 2022). “Logging industry ‘depressed’

Photo credit: Slofoodgroup In terms of production volume, vanilla is the most popular spice in the country, with 520,000 kg produced annually. In terms of market trends, the price of vanilla would rise by 5% in the next five years, according to PNG Spice Industry Board chief executive officer Nelson Simbiken. “In terms of production and volume, vanilla is a lot more than other spices such as cardamom, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, pepper, citronella and nutmeg. “In terms of the demand, for specific spices like vanilla, new countries are consuming vanilla as part of their beverages and ice cream.” Simbiken said demand from China and Brazil was increasing. “East Sepik and West Sepik are the leading vanilla producers in the country,” he said. “The vanilla town of the country right now is Maprik. That is the major trade centre where vanilla is brought from all over the country. “Most of the buyers are from Maprik. “They travel to other provinces and buy, bring it back and start trading within Maprik and eventually they pack them there and export it. “For vanilla, one kilogram with good quality and the current local price is K200, K270 or K300 per kg. “That’s big money.”   Reference: The National (11 January 2022). “Vanilla leads in spice production”. 

According to Spice Sector Board Chief Executive Officer Nelson Simbiken, the country's spice industry has exported K1.3 billion worth of products in the last four years. According to Simbiken, K400 million worth of items were shipped in 2021, much above the norm of over K300 million. “From 2019 to now, revenue from export we have from Customs and National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority ( (showed that) the industry has exported K1.3 billion,” he said. “On an annual basis, spice industry has been exporting over K300 million on an annual basis. “In 2019, the spice industry exported over K500 million, in 2020 K600 million, in 2021 over K400 million,” Simbiken said the spice industry was picking up after being slow for some years. “At the moment, it's dead,” he said. “We are resurrecting it to make it grow. The significance of that is that with one kilogram of spice, you’ll get 100 times the value in terms of money than the similar amount of commodities like cocoa and coffee. “For example one kilogramme of coffee, raw beans, you get K7, or, for parchment, it’s about K4. “For cocoa, one kilogramme is about K6 to K7. But for spice, the raw product, especially vanilla, with one kilogram is about K200. “So most of the farmers for other crops work hard to get 60kg of cocoa bean and wait for transport to bring it to town. But for vanilla, you get about 10kg, put them in your bag and come in and get higher value compared other commodities.”   Reference: The National (11 January 2022). “Spice board: K1.3bil worth of product exported in last 4 years”. According to Spice Sector Board Chief Executive Officer Nelson Simbiken, the country's spice industry has exported K1.3 billion worth of products in the last four years. According to Simbiken, K400 million worth of items were shipped in 2021, much above the norm of over K300 million. “From 2019 to now, revenue from export we have from Customs and National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority ( (showed that) the industry has exported K1.3 billion,” he said. “On an annual basis, spice industry has been exporting over K300 million on an annual basis. “In 2019, the spice industry exported over K500 million, in 2020 K600 million, in 2021 over K400 million,” Simbiken said the spice industry was picking up after being slow for some years. “At the moment, it's dead,” he said. “We are resurrecting it to make it grow. The significance of that is that with one kilogram of spice, you’ll get 100 times the value in terms of money than the similar amount of commodities like cocoa and coffee. “For example one kilogramme of coffee, raw beans, you get K7, or, for parchment, it’s about K4. “For cocoa, one kilogramme is about K6 to K7. But for spice, the raw product, especially vanilla, with one kilogram is about K200. “So most of the farmers for other crops work hard to get 60kg of cocoa bean and wait for transport to bring it to town. But for vanilla, you get about 10kg, put them in your bag and come in and get higher value compared other commodities.”   Reference: The National (11 January 2022). “Spice board: K1.3bil worth of product exported in last 4 years”.