The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has inaugurated a cocoa export depot in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea. This depot, the first of its kind in West Sepik Province, is valued at 1.67 million Kina or approximately IDR 6.85 billion and has a storage capacity of 50 metric tons of cocoa beans. It aims to accommodate the harvests of 20,000 farming families, providing them with opportunities for premium cocoa prices. FAO has handed over the cocoa depot to the West Sepik Provincial Government, which will manage it through West Sepik Investment Limited, a provincial government-owned enterprise. The establishment of this cocoa export depot is intended to improve the livelihoods of local farmers. Proper cocoa storage and expanded market access will enable local farmers to sell their cocoa at higher prices. This initiative also marks a significant step forward for West Sepik in enhancing sustainable cocoa production.

The inauguration of the Vanimo Cocoa Export Depot was attended by West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou and several dignitaries from the European Union and the United Nations. During the event, Governor Wouwou expressed his gratitude to the European Union for co-funding the construction of the depot. "I commend the EU-STREIT PNG Program led by FAO for facilitating the construction and establishment of this crucial facility. This initiative will boost cocoa productivity and the livelihoods of our farmers," said Governor Wouwou, as quoted by Insidepng.com on Monday (1/7/2024). United Nations Resident Coordinator for Papua New Guinea, Kesang Phuntsho, reaffirmed their commitment to continuing collaboration with the government and local communities. According to him, cocoa has significant development potential in Papua New Guinea. EU-STREIT PNG Program Coordinator for Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment, and Trade, Ali Said Yesuf, expressed satisfaction with the project's progress. According to Ali, the primary goal of their program is to enhance the cocoa supply chain in Papua New Guinea. "Our aim is to improve marketing, ensure farmers receive fair prices, and establish Vanimo as the cocoa export hub in Papua New Guinea. This will motivate farmers and transform the economy in West Sepik," he said.

Source: https://jubi.id/pasifik/2024/fao-buka-depot-ekspor-kakao-pertama-di-sepik-barat/