Photo credit: Loop PNG
Bougainville communities will benefit from a new K10 million grant to help 25 Bougainville cocoa cooperatives under the Bougainville Partnership Commodity Support Facility (CSF).
The money provided to the Takuina Women's Business Group, according to Noelyn Lasua of the Takuina Women's Business Group, would yield positive outcomes for her cocoa cooperative.
“The women believe the project will bring extra income to improve their lives – more children will have the chance to further their studies as families will have enough money for school fees and mothers anticipate growing their small business (liklik bisnis) activities once they have extra money from cocoa farming,” said Noelyn.
The financing is part of the CSF grant's second phase, which aims to boost the cocoa industry, improve the livelihoods of roughly 1250 households, assist small businesses, and expand educational possibilities.
This phase will have a special emphasis on women's economic empowerment, with direct funding going to five women-led organizations. The Memaya Women's Group was one of the successful grant applicants, and team leader Getrude Kinowo said the money will help farmers and families right away, as well as generate long-term reforms in their community.
The CSF subsidies, according to Ms Kinowo, would help farmers boost harvests, enhance cocoa quality, and get access to new economic options.
She said the CSF provides training and tools to help farmers improve their agricultural abilities and safeguard their crops from pests.
“Cocoa farming will improve and cocoa pod borer will be reduced. Right now, production has dropped significantly due to the cocoa pod borer infestation,” she said.
Reference: Post-Courier (9 March 2022). “Cocoa Grant Will Boost Production in Bougainville”.
