Grower Services

The purpose of the Growers Services section of the RGSD is to conduct systematic collection and transfer of coffee information and recommended technologies developed from research activities conducted by researchers to coffee farmers. The section is als responsible for providing support services to the coffee industry.

The CIC through its R&GSD have five impact programs under the jurisdiction of the Grower Services section, referred to as grower services, that directly affect the production base of the coffee industry in Papua New Guinea. These services are implemented to address farmer needs and are therefore regularly reviewed to keep up with the changing conditions of the coffee industry based on farmer needs and economical implications affecting the industry.

The impact or grower service programs that CIC are currently implementing are:

• Coffee Growers Support Services Program– this involves the conducting of participatory rural appraisal planning (PRAP) and accordingly providing training to farmers and industry participants using the results attainded from this process.
• Incentive Scheme– this involves the development of marketing programs that assist farmers in selling their coffee produce which include the Coffee Credit Scheme, Freight Surety Scheme and Farmer Group Marketing.
• Plantation & Blocks Services– involves providing support to the plantation sub sector by providing practically sound technical and management advice consistent with the corporate goals as objectives.
• Scientific Liaison Services– provides a link between research and grower services in terms of information services such as technical reports and other publications for coffee growers and relevant stakeholders.
• Education & Training Services– providing educational materials and the coffee college for training of coffee farmers in better coffee husbandry practices as well as reviewing and providing advice of the newly developed coffee curriculum piloted in schools around the country.

Through these programs, farmers are able to increase coffee production
thus maximising financial returns for themselves. The Education and Training service is aimed at grooming students to be well aware of the importance of coffee after leaving school and how best they can adapt themselves to embrace this importance and implement the skills learnt
once back in the village in terms of growing coffee.

* The majority of these programs require the assistance of the
government as they directly involve farmers and the rural population
at large who depend heavily on coffee as their major source of income.

 

Updated: July 15, 2011