Farmers in Ragiampun Village, Ward 13, Umi Local Level Government (LLG) in the Markham District of Morobe province, are preparing their cocoa budwood garden ahead of a planned technical visit by the Unitech SPISARD team and DFAT’s APEP program.
Although the exact visit date is yet to be confirmed, community members have mobilized this week to weed and clear the garden, ensuring young cocoa clone trees grow strong and healthy.
Joe Mamu, Community Leader of Ragiampun Village, said the preparation is vital for the trees to thrive.
“Our job now is to remove the weeds so the cocoa trees can grow well, get good airflow, and not be damaged by pests,” Mamu said.
He added that the community looks forward to sharing their progress and challenges with the visiting teams and receiving technical guidance.
“We want to show the good work we’re doing, share our difficulties, and hear ideas that will help this project grow even bigger,” he said.
Ragiampun village is one of several sites selected under Umi LLG for cocoa development. The community previously partnered with FPDA on bulb onion farming before receiving cocoa budwood seedlings to establish the new garden.
Mamu highlighted that the project has fostered strong community collaboration.
“This is a community garden, and everyone is working together. We agreed on workdays to clean and maintain the cocoa so it grows well,” he said.
He also noted ongoing challenges, including water shortages during dry seasons, limited chemicals for pest and weed control, and the need for shade plants and support stakes.
“Even with these challenges, we continue to stand strong and keep working,” Mamu said.
Since October, farmers have planted 40 cocoa trees and are awaiting an additional 120 seedlings from Unitech to expand the garden. Their long-term plan is to establish a major cocoa budwood nursery in Ragiampun to supply planting materials across Umi LLG.
Mamu said the upcoming technical visit will provide valuable skills for the community.
“When experts train us, we can pass that knowledge to other villages. Our cocoa quality will improve, and families will earn more income,” he said.
He thanked Unitech SPISARD and DFAT APEP for their continued support.
“We are grateful for the seedlings and the knowledge they will bring. Their support helps us build a stronger future for agriculture in our community,” Mamu said.
