The West Sepik Provincial Government should push for its cocoa to be exported directly out of Vanimo, says Provincial Program Advisor for Agriculture and Livestock, Clement Tumana.

Mr. Tumana made the call following the discovery of the cocoa pod borer disease in Aitape.

He recommended that there should also be a compulsory inspection of all cargo from Jayapura, Indonesia, and that there should be a total ban on all cocoa and other planting materials from Jayapura.

Mr. Tumana made these recommendations following an emergency meeting in Vanimo between West Sepik Provincial Administrator Joseph Sungi, East Sepik Provincial Administrator John Alman, National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority (NAQIA) Managing Director Andrew Yamanea, PNG Cocoa and Coconut Institute) PNGCCI) scientist Dr. Samson Laup, Cocoa Board Chief Executive Officer Lauatu Tautia and district officers from Aitape.

He said the 100 percent infestation at the Poro Blocks by the cocoa pod borer is a concern for all as it threatens all cocoa growers and the government should now be pushing for exports out of Vanimo to other markets. Cocoa is already being exported out of Vanimo to Indonesia.

"Last year we exported 25 tonnes to Indonesia as sun dried beans. Imonda alone has about one million cocoa trees with all of the beans exported to Indonesia due to the lack of road links with Vanimo," said Mr. Tumana.

Mr. Tautia said PNG cocoa has premium taste in the world market and fetched good prices and the government should do more to help farmers grow more.

He encouraged farmers to concerntrate on fermented cocoa, as it fetched better prices. Mr. Tautia encouraged farmers to plant more trees despite the presence of the disease as they need more trees to make up for those infected.

Safe planting materials can be sourced from other distribution centres including from Pasi.

PNGCCI scientist Dr. Laup said the pest has a life-cycle of four to five weeks and that it only travels at night at about 80 metres per night and that it multiplies in billions.

Mr. Yamanea said NAQIA is committed to curbing the problem but it was important for all parties to work together to eradicate, contain or control the spread of the disease.

"It is important that farmers know about the disease and that we get their support in eradicating or controlling the disease," he said.