Goilala District is aiming to secure an export license to tap into international coffee markets, according to Chairman and Goilala MP Hon. Casmiro Aia.
“We have established contacts with Dubai and sent our first shipment of coffee through Niugini Spice and Coffee Exports, a subsidiary of the Agmark group. Now, we look forward to owning a coffee export license,” Aia said.
The MP outlined his vision for the district during an exclusive interview with PNG Business News after receiving a processing certificate for a mini dry huller from the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC).
The Goilala District Development Authority (DDA) has committed K900,000 to coffee rehabilitation projects, allocating K300,000 for each of the district’s three Local-Level Governments (LLGs): Tapini, Woitape, and Guari.
This investment aims to support the revival of coffee and other cash crops in the region.
“Our district is vast, with a population that is spread across a wide area,” Aia noted, as under his leadership, the GDDA committed to supporting agriculture initiatives and bringing economic benefits to the district.
Agriculture, particularly coffee production, is considered a key driver of economic development in Papua New Guinea. The recent presentation of the processing certificate, held on September 6 in Port Moresby, is expected to empower people in Goilala by providing them with a sustainable source of income.
“The beauty of coffee and other agricultural activities is that they directly put money into people’s pockets. Other infrastructure projects are important, but what matters most is economic empowerment for individuals,” Aia said.
Goilala is also preparing agricultural projects on potato, bulb onion, and honey, pending available funding.
The district has been granted a license to mill and process coffee from parchment to green bean. Ensuring quality control is a key part of this process, which includes picking, washing, drying, milling, and polishing the beans before they are packaged in jute bags, the CIC noted.
“We currently have one huller machine in use for Woitape LLG. We’ve requested two more machines for Guari and Tapini LLGs,” Aia added. “Our next goal is to purchase a polisher machine to further improve coffee quality.”
The project also provides training and equipment such as pulping machines, coffee bags, pruning tools, nursery tools, and drying equipment, as support for coffee farmers.
CIC representative Jacqueline Ruguna reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to supporting coffee production in Goilala,
“The management and staff are dedicated to ensuring the district's coffee reaches its full potential through ongoing collaboration with the GDDA and cooperative farmers,” she told PNG BN.
