A group of cocoa farmers in Bundi local level government in Madang province is hopeful to register their cooperative as they see an increase in the sale of cocoa.

Lower Bundi Cocoa Cooperative (LBCC) is a proposed cocoa cooperative comprising of eight cocoa farmers in Brahman, particularly three ward areas in Bundi LLG.

The group made their third sale of 48 bags of cocoa at the Kamapim Limited cocoa depot in Madang early last week. This is the third sale within the month of April and early May.

LBCC chairman Sesi Morris said this new company Kamapim Limited has been assisting the group to register the cooperative.

“We have been trying to register the group for quite a while but could not get the group register. This new company: Kamapim Limited is helping us now to register the cooperative and we have seen progress in a short time then all the years of trying to register the group,” Mr. Morris said.

“The company is not only helping the group to register but have also made time to visit our remote cocoa growing village of Tauya, and it is the first time a cocoa buying company has visited such a rural place and we are grateful for the visit.”

Vice chairman of the group Fidelis Tefe said that the company is also offering attractive incentives in price, freight subsidy, bonus, and premium offers which is something many cocoa farmers want and such attractive initiatives also encourages more people to work.

Mr. Tefe said the group begun their first sales with 18 bags, the second sales with 22 bags and the third sales with 48 bags.

“We hope that with the help of this new company we hope to get our cooperative registered and continue to sell. As a group we believe to achieve more benefits including the attractive initiatives that the company is offering including other services that would help us as farmers,” Mr. Tefe said.