Coconut is the fourth most significant cash crop in terms of its economic importance to Papua New Guinea (PNG). An estimated 35% of total households, or 2.6 million people(based on 2011 PNG National Census), are engaged in the cultivation and production of coconut.
One focus area of the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK) is to help smallholder coconut farmers increase their production levels.
KIK Managing Director, Mr Alan Aku said, “Through the funding support we receive from the National Government, we are able to implement our program activities, with our focus areas on, Coconut Replanting/New Planting program, Downstream Processing and Value addition of coconut, Research and Development on pest and diseases; agronomy and farming systems; and breeding.
“Currently we have Coconut Development Officers (CDO) in 9 of 14 coconut growing provinces working closely with the Provincial Division of Agriculture and Livestock(PDAL) and district extension officers, implementing our program activities.” Through awareness sessions conducted on coconut replanting, downstream processing and white copra production, we have seen an increase in
farmers’ interest to get into coconut business.” adds Aku.
“Recently, our officers in partnership with local leaders of Murukanam village in Madang Province established a coconut model farm to demonstrate coconut farming systems and seed nut nursery for seedling distribution to local farmers.
“Peter Makan, the landowner at Murukanam said, we are so happy to allocate a portion of our land to KIK, who has set up a resource center here, so the community can have access to resources that will enable us improve and expand our coconut farms.”
“General Manager for KIK Industry Services, Alfred Nongkas said, the area will be a one stop shop for our farmers, it will develop into a Resource Centre that will be used for training and awareness, coconut nursery for the replanting program, coconut-based farming systems for intercropping food crops, cash crops such as vanilla and cocoa and livestock like cattle which the farmer can learn, develop and manage.”
With the introduction of downstream processing of high value coconut products and the shift to white copra production, a shed will also be built at the site for storage of white copra produced by the farmers and will be managed by the KIK Subsidiary, Coconut resources Limited.
“A coconut sugar farm will also be set up, which will be used to conduct training on coconut sugar production.” adds Nongkas. “This partnership with the local farmers has also paved the way for other stakeholders like Mi Bank who have and will continue to open bank accounts for our coconut farmers. They will also run financial literacy programs to help our coconut farmers manage the money they get from white copra production and sale.” said Nongkas.
KIK is also embarking on collaborative work with other partners like National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) and Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) who will facilitate post-harvest and marketing trainings for our farmers who under the coconut-based farming systems will intercrop coconut with food crops.