UNRE graduate uses knowledge to break new grounds in cocoa farming

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Simbu Province is the first province in the Highlands region to grow cocoa and a UNRE graduate is one of the key people assisting farmers to grow and produce cocoa at an altitude of more than 1,500metres above sea level.
UNRE graduate John Komba.
John Komba, who graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Tropical Agriculture is a Rural Development Officer at the Division of Primary Industry in Simbu province. 
He is using the knowledge he gained at the University to break new grounds in cocoa farming in Simbu.
Mr Komba led a group of cocoa farmers from Karamui district in Simbu to display their cocoa at the 2017 Inaugural Air Niugini Cocoa Warwagira that was held last week.
Cocoa pods from Karamui district in Simbu Province.
The cocoa pods displayed at the Simbu booth attracted many farmers and visitors because the pods were much bigger than what other provinces are producing.

Mr Komba said he believed that due to the large sizes, the pods are free of any diseases including Cocoa Pod Borer, however, he said research is yet to prove this hypothesis.
He said since Simbu is the first province to grow cocoa, he was fortunate to teach farmers the Integrated Pest & Disease Management (IPDM) practice and fermentation skills that he learnt at UNRE, including the knowledge he gained when he was on his six week family attachment with his Tolai family.
Planting began in Karamui in 2008 when the price of coffee was down. 28 farmers planted hybrid cocoa clones on 26 hectares. Today there are about 650 farmers with about 700,000 trees. Since 2012, the Karamui farmers have produced 78 tonnes of cocoa.
They aim to plant 2million cocoa trees by 2020.
Mr Komba thanked UNRE for the knowledge he now has which has enabled him to assist farmers in the province.
He said he believes UNRE has contributed immensely towards improving the livelihood of rural population through its graduates who are working in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors throughout the country.
Mr Komba also has the added responsibility of being the Provincial Team Leader of Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
He acknowledged the support of the Simbu provincial government with K2 million, Karamui district administration with K300,000, ACIAR with K60,000 and PNG Cocoa Board with K100,000 for the cocoa freight programme.
The Simbu farmers have proven that high altitude cocoa farming is indeed possible.

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