Simbu farmers make history

By JAMES KILA

A COOPERATIVE farmer group in the Chimbu province has definitely made history by contributing their own funds to help disadvantaged farmers in remote locations of the highlands freight their coffees out to the market.

The Simbu Koporetiv Farmers recently contributed monies and made payment in cheque to the managing director of Trans Niugini Airways (TNA) to freight coffee produce from farmers in remote locations of Karamui and Negabo to the selling points in Kundiawa and Goroka

This remarkable assistance by a coffee grower-owned marketing group
facilitated by the Coffee Industry Corporation greatly enhances and compliments
the National Government’s widely publicised Export Driven Policy.

Moreover, the Simbu Koporetiv Farmers has indeed set the pace and record in taking the initiative themselves during these tough economic times to help bail out the farmers in the marginal areas who do not have road access and only depend on air transport to bring their produce to the market.

Additionally, the marketing group has practically displayed a true spirit of genuineness to help in the economic recovery of the country’s economy placing self reliance as one of the main pillars.

According to the chairman of the Simbu marketing group, Supa Kopa, from Chuave, the cooperative marketing group realized the extreme hardships faced by farmers in the Karamui district who have good quality coffee, however, the high airfreight costs has hampered transportation and the coffee are stranded rotting away.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Coffee Industry Corporation, Ricky Mitio commended the Simbu farmers for the historical initiative they have taken to assist their counterparts from the remote locations

Mr Mitio stated that the Simbu CCGS Farmers Marketing Group is beginning to show signs of sustaining itself through group marketing concept promoted by the CIC.

The CEO encouraged that for any cooperative group to be successful there has to be good leadership, transparency and accountability.

Ends…./