COCOA SECTOR IN MADANG TO RECEIVE K2 MILLION SUPPORT

BY MARTHA LOUIS

MADANG Governor Ramsey Pariwa has announced another K2 million to support cocoa development across the province, saying the sector is key to lifting rural incomes.

He made the announcement last Friday when he opened a new cocoa nursery and budwood garden for the Niumi Cocoa Produce Cooperative at Udini-Waguk in Ambenob LLG.

The new funding comes on top of an earlier K1.1 million his government invested with the Cocoa Board for the provincial roll-out program. Work on new nurseries is already underway in different parts of the province.

“We will keep investing in cocoa. As long as I am in office, I want Madang to smell of cocoa,” Governor Pariwa said.

Governor Pariwa also gave K50,000 to the Niumi Cooperative. He said the group had shown leadership by organising themselves instead of waiting for government handouts. He stressed that people must work hard to achieve progress.

The Niumi Cooperative brings together 13 primary cooperatives from all six districts.

Chairman Presley Uiweb said the funding would be shared among the member groups to support their plans.

Madang Cocoa Board manager Abel Nepre welcomed the support and said it was encouraging to work with a governor who is committed to growing the agriculture sector.