NEARLY 90 COFFEE COOPERATIVES GENERATE K15 MILLION FROM GROUP MARKETING

BY VICKY BAUNKE, in Goroka

NEARLY 90 coffee cooperatives across Morobe, Eastern Highlands, Simbu and Jiwaka have generated more than 15 million kina from green bean coffee sales through group marketing.

The sales were recorded between May and August this year under the CIC-PACD Project.

The initiative is designed to strengthen coffee cooperatives, improve market access and give farmers greater bargaining power when selling their produce.

The Megabo Community Coffee Cooperative in Eastern Highlands is among the participating cooperatives.

The 350-member cooperative has so far earned one-point-two million kina from three green bean coffee sales.

The cooperative’s latest sale alone generated approximately 817-thousand kina.

Acting Managing Director of the National Coffee Authority, Charles Dambui, says the results demonstrate the potential of collective marketing to give farmers a stronger position in the coffee value chain.

He says the initiative is also helping farmers move towards green bean marketing and improve the quality of their coffee through better processing.

Mr Dambui has commended the Megabo cooperative executives and members for their commitment, discipline and strong market engagement.