Prosperity Through Sustainable Climate Smart and Inclusive Cocoa Family Farming

Luis is a dedicated individual from Middle Ramu who is committed to the Gigaso Cooperative, where he tends to a cacao central nursery along the Madang Highway in Papua New Guinea.

As he approaches his second year on this transformative journey, Luis reflects on the positive changes swelling through his community.

“I was brought here to help the nursery manager last year and this would be my second year. Part of my job involves treating and planting seeds, chupon budding as well as field and nursery budding”, he says.

The fruit of his labor is evident in the staggering success of the nursery, boasting a notable 20,000 rootstocks and clones poised to be distributed among registered farmers.

Luis beams with pride as he reveals plans to provide 300 seedlings to each interested farmer, a move that promises to breathe new life into their cocoa blocks.

The significance of 18 clone plant varieties is not lost on Luis, who passionately advocates for their superiority. These clones from chupon bud graft from rehabilitated trees, he says, bear cocoa pods in just nine months, a substantial advantage over clones by rootstock bud graft.

The economic impact is profound, as each bag of dried beans is now estimated at K900, which is equivalent to 367.90 Australian Dollars. Luis's efforts are not just about cultivating plants; they are about sowing the seeds of, “improved livelihoods”, for his fellow community members.

Luis stands at the forefront of a collaborative effort between the Gigaso Cooperative and World Vision through the Usino Climate Smart and Inclusive Cocoa project.

This initiative, now in its third year, seeks to elevate the skills of registered farmers, especially lead farmers and nursery managers, to strengthen cocoa block management against pests like the Cocoa pod borer, and ultimately improve production and financial independence for the farmers and their families, the children’s livelihoods.

John Koti, the Chairman of the Gigaso Cooperative Society Limited, shares his observations on the project's evolution.

With obvious satisfaction, he says, "This is the 3rd year of the project, and from my observation, the implementation looks okay."

Beyond cocoa farming, the cooperative encourages farmers to join or create S4T groups, to inspire a culture of saving money for emergencies or venturing into small to medium enterprises as additional income streams.”

He adds that the success of these groups is tangible, with some already accumulating substantial savings.

Project Lead in Madang, Dehaan Lapawe adds that the Saving for Transformation (S4T) intervention can be combined with new Climate Smart Approach knowledge in the cocoa value chain to be a catalyst for transformed and resilient livelihood for farmers.

“The S4T builds savings, unity, trust, respect, and leadership acumen in financial management while CSA stimulates ecologically sound cocoa farming to increase yield and income per hectare”, he adds.

More so, Chairman Koti envisions a sustainable future for the cooperative, emphasising that the project's assets, including the nursery and bud wood gardens, will become important to the cooperative's long-term stability as a registered entity and partnership with the PNG Government through the Cocoa Board Authority.

He further adds that as the project gears towards its fifth and final year, the Gigaso Cooperative is well-prepared to take the reins. They have a certified bud wood garden and nursery, equipped with a license from the cocoa board authority, and are poised to continue their vital work.

“The tools provided by the project, including knapsacks, pole pruners, and secateurs, have not only eased the physical burden on senior farmers but have also enhanced overall block management”, he says.

Our intervention has transformed the landscape, reducing the height of cocoa trees from an estimated 4 meters to a more manageable 2 meters and below, contours set up to manage soil and organic matters for plant nutrients and soil moist conservation. This change not only facilitates easier harvesting but also highlights the cooperative's commitment to sustainability and productivity.

Farmers have received all-inclusive training on block management, gaining valuable insights into optimal shade conditions and other essential CSA and socially Inclusive practices that have transformed their approach to cocoa cultivation.

We could not have achieved this without the much-needed funding support of the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and the continuous technical support from our implementing partners, the Government of PNG through its Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea in Madang Province, Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture and Livestock.

Chairman John Koti expresses his satisfaction with the project's progress, confident that the cooperative and its 1511 registered farmers are well-equipped to continue their success.

He extends gratitude to the donors and World Vision for their vital partnership, predicting a future where the cooperative blooms with prosperity and children thrive from the miracle tree -cocoa.

“I would like to thank the donor and World Vision for partnering with me (the Gigaso Cooperative) and I am confident that this project will bear fruit after its completion”, he says.

Luis and John stand as examples of resilience and empowerment in their community. Their contribution alongside the concerted efforts of the Gigaso Cooperative, its registered farmers’ and World Vision PNG, is a witness to the transformative potential of sustainable cocoa farming - one cacao seedling at a time.