Community & Business
23 May, 2024
PNG looks to local coffee expertise to revive industry
ARMED with three generations of coffee growing knowledge, the Jacques family hope to now pass what they’ve learnt on to growers in Papua New Guinea as the country battles to reinvigorate its coffee industry.
The family met with PNG Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, PNG’s Coffee Minister and a number of other delegates at its coffee tree plantation last week to discuss what they do and share their plans to help their country to revive its once-strong coffee growing industry.
Nat Jaques, who has faced his own share of trials and tribulations, said PNG’s coffee production had dropped to a quarter of what it was.
But through the will and hard work of coffee growers, the situation could be turned around.
With the support - including financial - of both the PNG Government and Australian Government, the Jaques family hope to support growers in a number of different ways.
These include an education program, conducting new variety trials, accelerating berry beetle research and control programs, leaf rust and foliar spray programs, opening new coffee growing areas for future growing expansion, introducing co-ops for coffee processing where needed and reviewing sales.
The idea for the collaboration between the Jaques family and PNG stemmed from regular visits by PNG coffee farmer Feo Kinoka.
Mr Kinoka was in awe of what the family had achieved through their hardships and pushed for several years to get the PNG government to visit.
“It’s exciting, it’s finally coming together,” he said.
Between three and four million people rely on the coffee industry in PNG - a strong reason for Mr Kinoka to continue to push for Wednesday’s visit.
If the program is accepted and supported by the PNG government and the Australian Government, Mr Jaques said he would use his experience and knowledge to help guide the growers.
“We will be here to advise you on how to do it and provide you with really important factors in the industry,” he said.
The country still uses varieties from 50 to 60 years ago, which Mr Jaques said were not anywhere near as productive as today’s varieties.
“It’s for you to decide if we have the skills and the experience…we are ready to go, so long as it’s done properly. We like to do things properly or not at all,” he told the PNG delegation.
“If we can help you guys to revive the coffee industry and help the economic future of PNG - I know we can double the production, if not more, if you can follow the program.
“It will only work if we can educate (the growers).”
Mr Rosso described his country’s coffee industry as “ailing”.
“The whole reason we have a new minister for the coffee industry is to revive it,” he said.
Mr Rosso thanked the Jaques family for showing their operation and sharing their story and knowledge.
“I’m impressed, really impressed. Not only the farm but the family story, too,” he said.
Mr Jacques said he hoped the program is accepted when PNG Coffee Minister William Bando takes the proposal to Cabinet.
“I hope this has been good for everybody. I look forward to having funding in my pocket to come up. The ball is in your court…let’s see it happen now,” he said.
Mr Rosso said with Mr Kinoka’s hard work and Minister Bando’s support, together they would help to make change.
“I’m certain between the two of them, with the PM and myself, we can do something,” he said.
