The East New Britain Provincial Government (ENBPG) recently launched a major initiative to distribute approximately one million cocoa hybrids and clones this year as part of the Cocoa Rehabilitation Program. This large-scale effort is being carried out in partnership with the PNG Cocoa Board and Agmark Group Limited. As part of the rollout, payments for the initial 700, 000 cocoa seedlings, covering the districts of Pomio, Rabaul, and Gazelle, have been made to the PNG Cocoa Board and Agmark Group Limited. The PNG Cocoa Board received a total of K350, 000 to support seedling distribution, while Agmark Group was granted a total of K282, 622 to supply equipment for nurseries and cocoa fermentaries. Meanwhile, payments for the remaining 300, 000 seedlings for the Kokopo district are currently being finalized under similar distribution arrangements. The presentation of cheques to the two organizations took place at the ENB Provincial Administrator’s Office in Kokopo earlier this month. Provincial Administrator Mr. Levi Mano, while presenting the cheques, stated that the provincial government is now partnering with experts who can support agricultural extension work in the province. Mr. Mano confirmed there are currently nineteen certified cocoa nurseries in operation engaged through Service Level Agreements (SLA). These nurseries are part of a proposed forty that will supply cocoa seedlings to more than 2, 333 cocoa farmers across the province. “If we wish to produce quality cocoa, the Cocoa Board and Agmark are the right partners for us to carry on this initiative.” “Therefore, we are calling on all farmers to access materials provided by these two organizations.” He emphasized that people often talk about grand initiatives but overlook practical, impactful efforts that can support communities and bring money back into local economies. Meanwhile, Advisor of the Division of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), Mr. Dominic Huranaka, said that the province currently produces 6, 000 metric tonnes of cocoa annually. The provincial government aims to increase production to 10, 000 metric tonnes by the year, 2027. Mr. Huranaka stated that once the Kokopo district component is in place and other service providers such as Farmset Limited will be engaged. He also confirmed that a few cocoa nurseries have already begun distributing seedlings in the province. “We now have a set of guidelines for farmers who wish to participate in the program. You must have your field ready, with proper lining and marking, and our officers will need to physically inspect the site.” “We have previously supplied cocoa seedlings without seeing the expected return on investment.” Additionally, Mr. Huranaka said that some farmers collect seedlings only to store them improperly, leading to damage and also noted that some farmers are simply negligent. On the other hand, PNG Cocoa Board Chief Executive Officer, Jessie Anjen, has commended the initiative of the ENB Provincial Government to partner with service providers who have the capacity to supply and meet the demands of the population. He added that the Cocoa Board has seen a rise in farmers cultivating open-pollinated seeds. “This can really affect the production and quality of our cocoa in the province as well as the country.” “The best approach is to source seedlings from certified budwood gardens, which are then distributed to cocoa nurseries province wide.” Moreover, he added that the Provincial Cocoa Rehabilitation Program aligns with the Cocoa Board’s annual targets and that this partnership is a great way to alleviate poverty in communities.