The PNG Agriculture Commercialization and Diversification (PACD) Cocoa Project Management Unit (PMU) has reaffirmed its commitment in revisiting agriculture feeder roads constructed under the former Productive Partnerships in Agriculture Project (PPAP).

These feeder roads, constructed between 2015 and 2020, have played a vital role in connecting cocoa farming communities to markets, services, and economic opportunities. With PACD nearing completion this December the PMU has met respective provincial stakeholders to work together to ensure these roads continue to serve the people in years to come.

Task led by the PMU Road Maintenance Training Specialist and Civil Engineer Rolly Vuvul, has met with provincial administrations in East New Britain, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Morobe, Madang and East Sepik province. These Roads have had a critical impact on agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. Total of 16 feeder roads and a bridge were upgraded under the cocoa component.

During a meeting with the East New Britain Provincial Administration in August 2025 PACD Cocoa Project Manager Dr. John Moxon emphasized the importance of maintaining the PPAP roads ahead of the upcoming endline survey scheduled for October. “This is a rare opportunity to secure future investments in rural infrastructure. If these roads are not properly maintained, it could affect funding for future projects,” he said.

Dr Moxon said the World Bank has requested a review of the PPAP roads as part of the endline survey, recognizing them as a significant investment by the national government valued at K30 million allocated to improve 57.07km of feeder roads across the five provinces.

Senior Engineer and Market Access Coordinator Raymond Paulias highlighted that these feeder roads were identified and funded under the PPAP project 2015-2020 those were identified and submitted by the partnerships involves in the project.

Mr Paulias added that these roads were submitted to PACD to look at, they did a cost benefit analysis based on the production potential that was going to return to the project. Those roads were high benefit that is why they were selected. “Those roads within cocoa growing areas mainly in the Gazelle and Pomio district and one of the pre-requisitions for funding was PACD signed an MOU with the administration, PA and the district where the government agreed to maintain these feeder roads,” he said.

The basic routine maintenance work to be covered by the communities cutting grass, cleaning the drains but from the LLG or district put a grader in once a year or so to allow the longevity of the road.

Meanwhile Mr Vuvul added that after the inspection only three roads were maintained by the relevant government authorities. He said PPAP roads represent a vital investment in rural connectivity and their deterioration due to insufficient maintenance is a serious concern.

He emphasized that immediate actions are necessary to restore and maintain these roads and long-term success depends on committed partnerships between communities, district government and provincial authorities.

The five provincial administrations acknowledge the PACD Cocoa project for the projects to their respective provinces and pledges to uphold its commitment to maintaining these vital links between farmers and markets.