Coffee farmers in the lower highlands region need proper support from respective authorities to ensure their crops are sustained to supply the market and also sustain themselves especially during this El Nino period.

Mr. Andrew Robert is one such farmer. He is a small holder coffee grower in the Goroka district of Eastern Highlands province. PNG Hausbung had a chat with him during the 70th Papua New Guinea (PNG) Agriculture and Trade Festival in Goroka, where he revealed his struggle.

Mr. Robert explained that the prolonged dry weather experienced so far, has resulted in the coffee berries not ripened despite the coffee bearing flower. 

“That’s our issue with this El Nino; therefore, what we want is our district, LLG and our Eastern Highlands provincial government to do something to address this matter,” he said.

“What we want is to at least have access to good water supply so we can be able to give water to our crops, especially at this time. So, it can be a win- win situation to ensure production continues, and we be able to sustain ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Jonah Negiha the Regional Landuse Advisor from the Provincial Industry and Support Services Highlands Region, said the situation is serious not just for the coffee farmers, but for all other crops in the highlands region that are experiencing dry weather. 

He said there are programs delivered by the Department of Agriculture and Livestock; however, there is a big need for further support from the higher ups.

Meantime, the current price of coffee is good, but farmers stand to lose revenue with the poor harvest of coffee due to the prolonged dry weather.