Wafi-Golpu Chocolate project helping communities

The Mining Chocolate Program for the Wafi- Golpu project actively engages locals to participate in cocoa farming.

The program assists over 4,000 cocoa-growing families in Morobe and anticipates seeing over 300 tonnes produced yearly.

The Senior Community Affairs Advisor Habou Sheila said this project started in 2008 and in 2019 they reached a partnership with the PNG Cocoa Board.

Harou said this further enables the farmers to form cooperatives.

"The cooperatives are in the project impacted project in four local level governments including Lower Watut, Babua, Labuta, Salamaua and Casuapum. The cocoa nurseries are established at Babuaf Labuta and Salamaua.

"To date we have 5,500 farmers who have benefited. At the moment the cocoa process is at the highest, our farmers are earning up to K2,500 for 65kg. This income this project raises is K15 million, that's the latest," Harou said.

This project assists the locals in terms of health needs, school fees, and other necessities and that is important for the project.

It is anticipated that this program will cover entire communities in the scoped project area and a more positive outcome is extended going forward.

"At the moment we want to increase the farmers to 6,600 and expect a revenue of K19 million, that's the target we set, "Herou added.

Meantime, the product of the Cocoa project, Trupla Chocolate was produced in partnership with Paradise Food and is yet to be out on the market.

The product is on display at the Wafo Golpu Chocolate project booth.