Coffee Industry News
Coffee does it again - Youth and Career Story
“The land you are standing on is your starting point.” These words sound antique but are not. The words have been the principles of life for Mr Nelson Atatai of Norikori Village in the Obura/Wonenara District of Eastern Highlands Province.
Like any youngster with ambitious dreams, in 2004 Nelson made it through the harsh education system to get into university to study Accounting. But, a year later, school fee struggles sent him back to his village with nothing but shattered dreams.
Nelson was down but not out. With the limited sum that he had, Nelson fried and sold flour balls at his local village market. His determination earned him K300. He then bought a piece of land measuring nearly a hectare with his hard earned cash and so he ventured into coffee.
“I’d like to see my peers work the land. Don’t waste your time standing still and thinking or aimlessly wander. Look down, under your feet, see the land you are standing on, put a spade or knife into it and you will see the benefits,” said a determined Nelson Atatai.
Nelson, now in his mid-twenties, began work on his land in 2007. 
The land he bought had 839 coffee trees overpowered by thick bush.
After clearing the land, Nelson planted 2910 more young coffee trees. The coffee trees are intercropped with other vegetables and crops.
“The money I make from the mature coffee trees is re-invested into my coffee garden and I have surely seen the fruits of my labour and that
has kept me working on my land. When I left school, I thought seriously about my life and decided that if I were to remain in the village, I ought to be doing something worthwhile to preoccupy myself,” said Nelson.
His day starts at six o’clock in the morning, digging drains, pruning and other coffee husbandry practises. Everyday Nelson is physically kept in touch with his coffee garden.
When asked if he wanted to return to school, Nelson said he would if he could but at the moment, he is enjoying what he’s doing. “I don’t want to work for someone else, I want to be my own boss, and coffee has given me that status opportunity,” added Nelson.
Like any other farmer, Nelson pointed out that market access was a problem with the deteriorating road conditions; otherwise he has not given up hope on coffee. Roads would make life easier so appropriate authorities should take action.
Nelson has sought technical advice from the Coffee Industry Corporation Ltd especially on coffee pest and diseases. His limited knowledge on coffee farming and agriculture have proven too good to him but emphasized that his secret is self-discipline.
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