Sepik Plains to become PNG's largest Cocoa growing area

The Department of Trade Commerce & Industry is advancing plans to partner the Cocoa Board, the LR Group of Israel and the people of East Sepik Province to develop a large scale Commercial Cocoa Production within the Sepik Plain Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Currently there is only village based small cocoa growers in East Sepik Province and small cocoa blocks in Gavien in Angoram District BUT no plantation or commercial Cocoa production in East Sepik Province.

Negotiations are already advancing for the Cocoa Board , LR Group and the Ministry of Trade Commerce & Industry to work together to develop two (2) large scale nurseries with the SEZ to develop two new clones of cocoa for distribution to cocoa farmers and companies developing large scale cocoa farms within the SEZ.

The Minister for Trade Commerce & Industry, Richard Maru met with the CEO of the Cocoa Board and his team and the Chairman of the LR Group last Friday in Port Moresby to commence negotiations which will lead to an MOA to be signed between the parties in Yangoru on the 18th of July, 2016 when the Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill visits Yangoru to formally launch the Sepik Chicken, Grain (Stock feed) and Cocoa Innovative Project to be developed by the LR Group of Israel and the State company, Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH).

The new joint venture company will be called “Kumul Agriculture Limited”. 

The project at Huaripmo village in East Yangoru will start with an initial investment of K50 million on 5 thousand hectares of state state land after the launch by the Prime Minister.

Negotiations are also being held with the Belgium Chocolate Group to be a partner in the Sepik Plains SEZ Cocoa initiative.