Cocoa production enhanced through practical and sustainable skills transfer
Isaac stands as an inspiration for his community under World Vision’s ANCP-supported Climate Smart and Inclusion Cocoa Project.
As a lead farmer, he has not only witnessed the transformative power of the project but has also played a key role in ensuring its success while addressing gender, climate change, environment, and social issues.
Demonstrating the resilience of farmers in Usino, Isaac has personally faced the challenges posed by the cocoa pod borer pest (CPB) head-on.
As a father of seven who recently celebrated the joys of becoming a grandfather, Isaac exudes gratitude as he reflects on the positive impact of the project.
“As a lead farmer in my area, I have seen that whatever skills World Vision has given us is helping us in our block management, and I’m very pleased,” he says.
The foundation of this transformative project lies in the wide-ranging skills training provided to farmers like Isaac by the project’s hard-working field officers.
Through this initiative, our intervention has equipped farmers with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat the challenges posed by the cocoa pod borer and enhance the overall sustainability of cocoa farming through climate-smart practices.
Dehaan Lapawe, the project lead in the province says, “The next step is for cocoa farmers to manage their family cocoa block as a business and sell through the cooperative as they gain collective market access.”
Isaac emphasises the significance of the tools distributed as a bonus, highlighting how they have played a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness of their cocoa blocks.
“The tools we received have helped us keep our blocks clean and work with our families. And in my block, I have seen that my cocoa plants are becoming healthy and growing well,” he adds.
The ripple effect of Isaac’s dedication and the project’s impact extends beyond his cocoa block. As a proud father, he shares that his oldest son has ventured into cocoa farming, establishing his cocoa block, and as such he is very proud.
This family connection to cocoa farming symbolises a legacy not only for Isaac's immediate family but for the entire community.
“I have already sold three bags of dried beans and just started harvesting for another bag, from my rehabilitated cocoa block. I have a fermenter, and currently, I’m using it to dry my cocoa beans,” Isaac shares.
This proves how the project has not only enhanced productivity but also introduced innovative and sustainable practices.
“These bags are from the rehabilitated cocoa blocks done in 2021-2022. New clones done through chupon will come into production by June 2024 onwards. This is a reality for 2,300 farmers,” explains Mr. Lapawe.
In his role as a lead farmer, Isaac oversees a team of nine farmers who work closely with him. Together, they are pioneering change in their community, proving that farmer-to-farmer shared knowledge and unity are key ingredients for success.
While he is currently the sole user of the fermenter, Isaac predicts a future where all his farmers will benefit from this valuable resource as they progress in their replanting and block management efforts.
Before World Vision’s intervention through the Climate Smart and Inclusion Cocoa Project in Usino, farmers in the area faced a significant decline in cocoa production due to the relentless cocoa pod borer (CPB) pest.
The community was at a crossroads, grappling with the economic impact and uncertainties that accompanied this agricultural challenge causing many to lose interest in cultivating cocoa.
However, WV's timely and impactful involvement, coupled with much-needed funding support from the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and continuous technical support from the Government of Papua New Guinea through its relevant Departments, the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea in Madang Province, Department of Commerce and Department of Agriculture and Livestock that has empowered us to provide a pathway for a turnaround.
The project has empowered farmers like Isaac with the knowledge, tools, and skills necessary to navigate the difficulties of cocoa block management, effectively curbing the devastating effects of the cocoa pod borer.
Isaac shares, “We’re still working on our blocks; some plants are already being replanted, and some are still in the nursery, ready to be distributed to farmers and there is still CPB but we’re progressing well with the block management skills we have received.”
The resilience of the community shines through as they persistently work towards rejuvenating their old cocoa blocks, breathing life back into a once-struggling industry in Madang Province.
As the project continues to unfold its transformative potential, the landscape is changing. The once-decreasing cocoa production is now on a steady rise, and the renewed enthusiasm among farmers is evident.
World Vision’s Climate Smart and Inclusion Cocoa Project is not merely about cultivating cocoa; it is about sowing the seeds of resilience, denting poverty, promoting social inclusion and cohesion, knowledge, and sustainable practices that will bear fruit for generations to come.
Isaac’s journey is an inspiration. His story reflects the power of community-driven initiatives, where every farmer’s success contributes to the collective prosperity of their communities.
Through dedication, innovation, and collaboration, Isaac and his fellow farmers are not just cultivating cocoa- recently named the ‘miracle tree’; they are cultivating hope, resilience, and a brighter future for Usino – Bundi District.
“Cocoa tree has been attributed the name of miracle tree by the farmers in the target site”, says Mr. Lapawe.
We are grateful for the funding support from ANCP and the support of our key partners and cooperative leaders. Without them, we would not be able to reach farmers like Isaac to help inspire improved livelihoods through various components of the project in climate-smart farming techniques, block management for CPB prevention, gender and disability inclusion, and savings for transformation.