The Papua New Guinea managed sector (Plantation sector) has put PNG coffee on the world market during the early days and is recognized globally as the producer of sufficient volumes of the top-of-the-top quality coffee with assured consistency in supply and quality.

However, production from the blocks and plantation sectors has declined to less than 20% of total production in recent times. This was due to several factors, most of which are beyond CIC’s control. Generally, the managed sector has declined due to a combination of constraints which have become prevalent in our society, such as coffee cherry theft, and land issues among others.

Under the CIC structure National Plantation & Block Training & Extension was formed to provide technical and management advisory services to the plantation and block sub sector of the coffee industry in PNG. The main aim of this position within the structure was to revive the plantation sector and restore them back to their full production potential. It is headed by a coordinator based at Aiyura Research and Grower Services Division office.

Functions

The roles of this position are to:

• Provide sound technical & management advice to the plantations over 30 hectares (ha) and blocks 5.0 – 29 hectare on rehabilitation, maintenance and development in proper agronomic and general coffee husbandry practices;
• Conduct training in all aspects of coffee husbandry and financial management including budgeting;
• Promote participatory approach in rehabilitation, maintenance and development;
• Encourage registrations of plantations and blocks with Investment Promotion Authority;
• Encourage formation of co-operatives for plantations and blocks.

The functions of this section are to:

• Maintain records of all the plantations and blocks in PNG including ownership;
• Maintain records of plantations and blocks rehabilitated;
• Prepare annual work program and budgets for the section;
• Prepare submissions for project funding through National Development Bank (NDB) or other sources;
• Make field visits to provinces on demand for technical advises;
• Coordinate training by networking with other sections of CIC and stakeholders;
• Networking with NDB and National Agriculture Development Plan of PNG for funding of projects;
• Make farm tours for trainees to plantation or block sites for demonstration on various agronomic practices.