CATEGORY:

CATEGORY: &= nbsp; EFFORTS IN DEALING WITH LAND TENURE AND OWNERSHIP ISSUES

MR. JOE LEAHY

KILIMA PLANTATION, WESTERN HIGHLANDS PROVINCE, PNG

HISTORY & BACKGROUND

Mr. Joe Leahy was raised and trained at Korgua Farm= by his parents in coffee on the Eastern end of Kilima Plantation in the Western= Highlands Province. In 1967, Mr. Leahy decided to own and run his on business in coffee so he l= eft Korgua and acquired land and moved in to develop it w= ith his young family. The area acquired is now known as Ki= lima in the Nebilyer area of the Western Highlands Province.

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ACHIEVEMENTS

He developed 300-hectares of land into plantations and blocks of which 150 hectares was personally owned while the other 150 hectares was for the landowners. He also established and built a Wet and Dry Coffee Processing Factories in the area where he involved landowners to operate.

Mr. Leahy started to encounter problems and oppositions from certain disgruntled members of the community in early 1980’s. There were tribal fights ov= er the land in the area which also spilled over into his personal properties. Consequently, there were plantations which left unattended for years, facto= ries closed. His life was threatened and as a result was forced to leave the properties.

In addition, his household was shattered as his family had to be separated from him for safety reasons. Mr. Leahy remained just because of the love he had = for the people and also to try to keep the properties maintained. He decided to remain and started to negotiate peace in the community. He wanted the peopl= e to lay down arms and return to work the land. He saw the response from the peo= ple and took advantage of it in furthering his relationship with the people and utilizing and reactivating business activities. Mr. Leahy is a fighter for peace with heart for the Nebilyer people and an ambassador in coffee. In his capacities he talks coffee with the people. &n= bsp;

The documentary produced and titled “BLACK HARVEST” depicts his life situation in that part of Western Highlands – the Nebilyer community.

Land Tenure and Ownership is a serious and biggest problem in this country and an impediment to progress and development. The ongoing issues concerning land tenure and ownership inhibit local and foreign investment in the developmen= t of coffee.

There are people and companies who have struggled to withstand this situation and continue to make business. On this occasion, CIC also wishes to acknowledge those individuals, groups, NGOs, company, and citizens who are taking lead = in solving land ownership issues, talking peace and solving it at their level = and capacity.

The CIC Board and Management would like to particularly recognize the extraordi= nary work and contribution Mr. Johannes Leahy and his family and company has put into the development of the coffee industry.