QUALITY COCOA ASSESSORS TRAINING CONCLUDES WITH RESOUNDING SUCCESS

CAPTION: Quality Cocoa Assessor Course Training participants. INSET: Albina Rarau, NGI Regional Coordinator for the Cocoa Board of PNG

MORE than 15 lead farmers under the Shadowes Cocoa Reviver Limited, an organization that was established in partnership with NGIP Agmark Group of Company based in Kabaira, Gazelle District, East New Britain have completed a one weeklong Quality Cocoa Assessor Course Training from the 09th to 13th February.

The training is co-funded by the PACD Cocoa project, Cocoa Board of PNG, as part of Shadowes Matching Grant component under the PACD Cocoa project, and was facilitated by the Cocoa Export and Quality Assurance Section of the PNG Cocoa Board.

Participants come from different zones three different local level government, Livuan, Inland Baining and Lassul Baining in the Gazelle District.

Training modules include, cocoa inspection and regulation, requirement for registration of cocoa fermentary, dry, wet and dealers’ exporters, cocoa production and standards, cocoa Act and cocoa processing.

The participants had an excursion to Agmark Didiman Store in Kerevat where they observe firsthand how cocoa is assessed prior to export, fermentary inspection and practically demonstrated the uses of instruments used terms of assessing cocoa quality.

Speaking at the opening of the training program Albina Rarau, the NGI Regional Coordinator for the Cocoa Board of PNG, commended the organization and the farmers participants for their commitment and emphasized the importance of quality control in every stage of cocoa production.

“We all know that cocoa is an export commodity, and it is enacted and the government has recognized these works and put in some laws or policies that we officer like us to enforce to the farmers levels,” said Ms Rarau.

Ms Rarau further stated that it is vital that the farmers to use quality planting materials certified by the Cocoa Board and apply proper fermentation and drying techniques to produce fine-flavored cocoa that can compete in the market.

She thanked the PACD Cocoa project for making the training happen, the cocoa Board of PNG team and the post-harvest team for supporting such vital training programs that help sustain the growth of the cocoa industry in PNG.

Shadowes Reviver Chairman Nicholas Kola said that this training is a very important training, and the farmers have learned a lot.

“We had a long vision to export, and this training has brought this vision closer and gives us confidence that yes we can achieve this vision” said Mr Kola.

The improved infrastructure, combined with upcoming training components, has strengthened the organisation’s operational capacity and positioned Shadowers Cocoa Reviver to participate more competitively in regional cocoa markets.

The participant will receive their certificates and are expected to return to their respective cluster groups and share the knowledge and skills gained with other cocoa growers in their localities