World Bank-funded coffee project to be launched in Goroka

By MALUM NALU
The coffee segment of the Productive Partnership in Agriculture Project (PPAP) will be launched next Tuesday at the Mark Solon Auditorium of the University of Goroka.

A smallholder coffee growers’ field training in Wahgi Valley, Western Highlands province.Improving the livelihood of smallholder growers is one of the objectives of the PPAP.-Picture by MALUM NALU

PPAP is a joint World Bank and International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) - financed project covering both the cocoa and coffee sub-sectors.
The project commenced in January.
Project mobilisation was expected to be completed in last month, with the launching next Tuesday.
The development objective of the PPAP is to improve the livelihoods of smallholder cocoa and coffee producers through the improvement of the performance and sustainability of value chains in the cocoa and coffee-growing areas.
This will be achieved through strengthening industry coordination and institutions, facilitating linkages between smallholder farmers and agri-business for the provision of technologies and services, and through the provision of critical market access infrastructure.
The project will be launched by Finance and Treasury Minister Peter O’ Neill and witnessed by provincial and district administration staff and political heads from Western Highlands, Chimbu and Western Highlands provinces.
There will also be representation from coffee exporters, processors, plantations and the all-important smallholder growers.
Guests will include Eastern Highlands Governor Malcolm Kela Smith, Department of Agriculture and Livestock deputy secretary and PPAP project preparation team leader Francis Daink, as well as CIC board chairman and Eastern Highlands small growers’ chairman James Korarome, Western Highlands small growers’ chairman Peter Kewa, PNG blockholders’ chairman Pugma Kopi and Jiwaka small growers’ chairman James Koimo.