PNG Coffee Minister Committed to reviving coffee Industry and boost Coffee exports
The new Minister for Coffee and Anglimp South Waghi MP Joe Kuli has commended the Marape-Rosso Government for its extraordinary decision to create two new portfolios, Coffee and Palm Oil, to be represented in Parliament.
Minister Kuli says it depicts great thought and consideration of building PNG’s National Economy, by focusing on PNG’s renewable resources at a time when PNG is facing great economic challenges as a nation.
“Our coffee export history speaks volumes of its importance. Coffee was one of our country’s top three income earners from the 1960s to the 1990s, with export volumes of 1.2 million bags per year.”
“In recent years it has drastically dropped to 500, 000 bags – 700, 000 bags per annum.”
“It has been my passion to increase coffee production, hence, I have raised this issue on the floor of parliament in the past.”
“I am humbled, and honored to be given this responsibility, as I am a coffee grower and coffee owner myself; I have vast knowledge and experience in growing coffee,” he said on Saturday evening, during his Ministerial Congratulatory Dinner in Port Moresby, where he also thanked his Anglimp South Waghi people for believing in his leadership and entrusting him a second term in Parliament to lead the district.
He also used the occasion to thank his United Resources Party leader, Hagen Open MP and State Enterprise Minister William Duma for his leadership, and for his party being the biggest coalition partner to the Marape-Rosso government.
Speaking about his plans as the new minister, he says he is committed to increasing coffee export volumes with a set target exported per annum by reviving coffee plantations, and addressing coffee market issues such as pricing and export markets.
“A key area of focus will be replanting of new coffee plantations. This is because we need to grow new coffee in both existing and run down plantations to improve coffee quality and increase export volumes,” he said.
Minister Kuli also stated that coffee is the world’s second most traded commodity, and has great potential of bringing in Billions of foreign currencies.
“The injection of foreign currency into our economy will strengthen our declining kina value, and will reduce inflation rates, that will benefit our people by the reduction of prices of goods and services.”
“Further, creation of jobs for our local farmers will generate income for them in order to improve their living standards,” he said.
He stated he is pleased because this will encourage people in cities and towns without employment to go back to their land to farm and create revenue.
“I am looking forward to working closely with the Coffee Industry Corporation, the existing body that governs the functions of coffee regulations, supervision, training and licensing of the coffee farmers and coffee associations in PNG.”
“I value the importance of our overseas buyers, and partners, to achieve my plans in the coffee industry,” the Minister adds.
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