Development and challenges of cocoa cooperatives in Papua New Guinea: case of Manus province

Abstract

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), cooperatives have a long and dynamic history, and since 2000 they have been promoted by the government as a vehicle for economic and social development. There have been few studies on cooperatives in PNG and no prior research into cocoa cooperatives. This study explores the development and challenges of cocoa cooperatives in PNG. Cooperatives were mainly formed as a response to governmental initiatives as well as to provide access to processing facilities, overcome market difficulties, reduce unemployment and improve living conditions. Cooperatives and collectives among farmers and growers are important mechanisms in fostering social and economic development in PNG. Problems associated with land tenure insecurity, small land holdings, lack of access to capital, poor rural infrastructure, among others, have been reduced with farmer collectives and cooperatives across the Pacific countries. This paper outlines the role that cooperatives, and cocoa cooperatives in particular, have had in rural development in the Manus province of PNG.

Keywords::

• cocoa cooperative
• cooperative challenges
• cooperative development
• Manus province
• Papua New Guinea
• PNG cooperatives

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elena Garnevska

Dr Elena Garnevska is a Senior lecturer in Agribusiness Management at Massey University, New Zealand. Her research interests include agricultural cooperatives, international agribusiness and strategies for environmental sustainability in the agri-food sector. She has authored and co-authored publications in various agribusiness journal.

Harold Joseph

Harold Joseph was a graduate student at Massey University, New Zealand. He currently works in the cooperative sector in PNG.

Tanira Kingi

Tanira Kingi has worked at AgResearch since 2010. He has a BBS in Agribusiness, a M.App.Sc (Hons) in Agricultural Systems from Massey University, and a PhD in Agricultural Economics and Development from the Australian National University.