Young gun of PNG's coffee industey

 

Young Joe Shelley, 32, is one of the young guns of PNG's coffee industry. 

He is now running  nationally-owned export company, Nowek, after the death of his father, Goroka coffee legend, Terry Shelley, in 2017. 

Joe is a precociously-talented young man who has fitted well into the shoes of his famous dad. 

Joe was in Australia when his father called him back to Goroka and passed on the reins. 

During a recent visit, Joe showed me around the Nowek Coffee Factory at Kamaliki, outside Goroka, and gave his frank views on the  status quo of the industry. 

His major concern is that coffee production is not increasing in PNG. 

Competition among Goroka exporters for the limited coffee available is intense. 

Nowek is helping to alleviate this issue by distributing coffee seedlings free of charge to people who want to get into growing coffee.

54 years in Goroka... and counting...

In the morning of Sunday, September 13, 2020, at Kama in Goroka, I was privileged to be introduced to one of the pioneers of Goroka, 78-year-old Ebung Dambi from  Mape in Finschhafen, Morobe. 

His is an amazing story. 

Mr Dambi, who is related to the Zurenuoc family, first came to Goroka in 1966 as a plumber and has stayed here since. 

He married his Chimbu wife, Sinape, at North Goroka Lutheran Church in 1970. 

Mr Dambi reflects on 54 years in Goroka and his thoughts of the future.

Livestock Development Corporation takes charge of beekeeping industry

The Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) has taken charge of Papua New Guinea's lucrative beekeeping industry.

LDC Managing-Director Terry Koim and Executive-Chairman and Department of Agriculture and Livestock Secretary Daniel Kombuk announced this in Goroka on Thursday, September 10, 2020.

They also signed a memorandum-of-understanding with the Eastern Highlands Beekeepers' Association, the largest and most-organised grouping of beekeepers in the country, to progress the industry.

The beekeeping industry has up to now been run on an ad hoc basis by farmers themselves.

A look into PNG's beekeeping industry

The beekeeping industry in PNG is a small but lucrative one.

Farmers get K12 per kg of raw honey, which is more than coffee, or other agriculture produce.

Many years ago, we had a factory in Goroka which exported honey, but this is no more.

It is an industry we should develop as we celebrate 45 years of Independence.

Along the Highlands Highway, outside of Goroka, pioneer beekeeper and retired agriculturalist Ian Mopafi builds beehives and frames for sale to honey farmers in Eastern Highlands and other parts of the Highlands.

Here he shows us his operation and talks about the untapped potential of the beekeeping industry.

Zuguru Cattle Ranch beefed up with new vehicle

The Zuguru Cattle Ranch in Bena, Eastern Highlands, has been given a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle to do its work.

The vehicle was handed by Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) Executive Chairman and Department of Agriculture and Livestock Secretary, Mr Daniel Kombuk, to

Zuguru Manager Mr Bobby Sogavo on Thursday, September 10, 2020.

The event was witnessed by LDC Managing-Director Mr Terry Koim, Director Mr Ian Mopafi, invited guests and locals.

It is part of the drive by the LDC to beef up Zuguru, and all LDC ranches in the country, in line with the vision of Prime Minister

James Marape

for PNG to be self-sufficient in beef production by 2025.

Zuguru Cattle Ranch, Bena, Eastern Highlands

The Department of Agriculture and Livestock is often disparaged as "Department of Agriculture and Deadstock".

Deadstock because the once-flourishing herds of cattle, sheep and other livestock are no more. Deadstock no more.

At Zuguru Cattle Ranch, in the Bena area of Eastern Highlands, a major cattle replenishment exercise and improvement of infrastructure is taking place.

This is in line with the vision of Prime Minister

James Marape

for PNG to be self-sufficient in beef and other livestock production by 2025.

Independence Day 2020 Flag Raising

 At this very spot exactly 45 years ago, on September 16, 1975, the Flag of Papua New Guinea was hoisted for the first time.

In the morning of Sepetmber 16, 2020, in a moving ceremony at Independence Hill officiated by Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, the Flag of PNG was raised to mark 45 years of Independence.

God Bless PNG today and into the future.