Caption: Marey Yogiyo displaying her Bauka Blue coffee at the recent NARI Agricultural Innovations Show.-Picture by MALUM NALU
By MALUM NALU
One of the upcoming brands of coffee in Papua New Guinea is Bauka Blue Kofi, produced entirely by a dedicated group of women from the beautiful Aiyura Valley, Eastern Highlands province.
It may not yet be in the big league of Chimbu's Kongo Coffee, Goroka Coffee from Eastern Highlands or Sigri Coffee from Western Highlands, however, is steadily developing a loyal fan base among missionaries at neighbouring Summer Institute of Linguistics, Kainantu, Bintangor Supermarket in Goroka, as well as SVS Stores.
Bauka Blue Kofi comes from the green rolling hills of Aiyura Valley, backed by beautiful blue mountains 1,200-1,800 metres above sea level in the Obura-Wonenara district of Eastern Highlands province.
The surrounding mountains are covered with tropical rainforest and beautiful morning fog, home to more than 114 species of birds identified so far out of 852 different types of birds found in PNG.
Of the 42 species of birds of paradise in PNG, four have been identified on the ridges around Aiyura.
Up to 50 different birds are frequent visitors to the shade trees, coffee gardens and secondary forest along the water ways.
Perfect environment for a perfect, environmentally-friendly Bauka Blue Kofi.
Marey Yogiyo, wife of coffee personality Jon Yogiyo, took part in the recent NARI Agricultural Innovations Show in Lae.
"We started it in 2000 as a women's coffee, involving ladies around the area where we live at Aiyura," she says.
"We realised that ladies spend a lot of time making and producing quality coffee, however, when everything was done, the men take the coffee to market and get all the money.
"We decided to do it ourselves.
"We help ladies.
"We pay school fees; attend to health problems.
"The ladies are happy to work together."
After picking, processing and drying, women of the Bauka group take their coffee to Arabicas in Goroka for roasting.
"I want to show farmers that we can make and drink our own coffee," Yogiyo says.
"Why should we work so hard and give it to somebody else?
"Bauka coffee is unique from other coffees because it is a single origin.
"Single origin means it comes straight from the block, from Aiyura."
Yogiyo says Bauka women have not yet secured overseas markets; however, that is not an impossibility.
Congratulations Ladies,
ReplyDeleteGood to see another brand on the market.
Can you provide your contact details to Malum ?
John BENNETT
such innovations are happening in issolation and no body knows, how can they get customers if their products are not known? I guess the NARI show provided them the opportunity to promote and market their stuff and even allowing the media to get some publicity done like this and get their marketing started. Not long Kongo, Sigri and every other coffeers will run after this group from Aiyura....ahahaha
ReplyDeleteCongratulations ladies!
ReplyDeleteI admire your courage and your initiative with the underlying motive of helping your families and improving your livelihood.
Good to see that you are giving the men something to think about and men should take heed and help out as well!