Women farmers boost with cocoa training and tools
15 Dec 2025
Inez Pokore, a dedicated cocoa farmer from Wang Ward in Big Tabar, New Ireland Province, shares an inspiring journey of how women in her community have embraced cocoa farming as a pathway to economic empowerment.
In 2018, cocoa was introduced to Wang Ward through awareness programs under the Simberi Mining Area Association (SMAA). The women, especially mothers, showed great interest despite having little knowledge about cocoa cultivation. Seedlings were distributed during the third round of planting. However, many farmers lost interest due to the lack of follow-up support and lack of knowledge, and some abandoned their cocoa gardens.
Inez shared that in 2020, the women learned essential skills such as budding. They were told cocoa trees would bear fruit after a year, but to their surprise, their trees produced pods in just 11 months. By 2022, their cocoa blocks were ready for harvest.
Unfortunately, due to limited knowledge in managing cocoa farms, the blocks remained idle throughout 2023. It was only when a man with some cocoa experience stepped in to guide them that they managed to harvest a small amount and began selling cocoa.
Challenges in Marketing Currently, Wang Ward lacks cocoa fermentries, forcing farmers to sun-dry their beans before selling. They sell to buyers like Agmark in Kokopo and CPL, but transportation costs are high farmers pay between K70 to K100 per bag to get their cocoa to town. Last year, the price per bag was K1,800, which motivated farmers to continue despite the challenges.
Women Leading the Way Another young mother Lilly Barie also shared that before cocoa farming, mothers relied on selling fish, garden produce, and copra. Lilly who recently sell two bags said with cocoa work is easy especially for women and children and today in their Island, cocoa has become a game-changer.
“Women are now earning money and planning to expand their cocoa farms. The Wang Women Farmers Group, part of TGICCSL, consists of 46 farmers, the majority being women.
"I sold one bag of cocoa and saw how it helped my family. My husband works, but as a mom, I need to support him and our children. The first time, I sold one bag; now I sell two. With this money, I’ve saved and met my family’s needs,” said Lily.
The women shared utmost thanks you for the assistance from PACD and Simberi Gold Company Limited (SGCL), farmers have received tools and training for the first time. They now understand budding, pruning, and other essential practices. A satellite nursery with a capacity of 8,000 seedlings has been established, with plans to distribute 200 seedlings per farmer. Additionally, the introduction of cocoa fermentries will improve bean quality and reduce reliance on sun-drying.
The woman group has called for support from the rightful authorities for a cocoa buyer agent in the province (Konos or Kavieng) to reduce transport costs, subsidized prices to support smallholder farmers and continued training and provision of tools to sustain growth.
Inez started selling cocoa in 2024 with 3 bags, and her most recent sale was 14 bags a remarkable achievement that reflects the growing success of women cocoa farmers in Wang Ward.
PACD Support With the support from the PACD Cocoa Simberi partnership the women now already received a lot of support. They have received more training and skills on how to look after their cocoa blocks. Also, now they will have better cocoa tools to used in their cocoa block, and cocoa fermentary they will no longer sun dry and a better community hall to convene their meetings.
In 2018, cocoa was introduced to Wang Ward through awareness programs under the Simberi Mining Area Association (SMAA). The women, especially mothers, showed great interest despite having little knowledge about cocoa cultivation. Seedlings were distributed during the third round of planting. However, many farmers lost interest due to the lack of follow-up support and lack of knowledge, and some abandoned their cocoa gardens.
Inez shared that in 2020, the women learned essential skills such as budding. They were told cocoa trees would bear fruit after a year, but to their surprise, their trees produced pods in just 11 months. By 2022, their cocoa blocks were ready for harvest.
Unfortunately, due to limited knowledge in managing cocoa farms, the blocks remained idle throughout 2023. It was only when a man with some cocoa experience stepped in to guide them that they managed to harvest a small amount and began selling cocoa.
Challenges in Marketing Currently, Wang Ward lacks cocoa fermentries, forcing farmers to sun-dry their beans before selling. They sell to buyers like Agmark in Kokopo and CPL, but transportation costs are high farmers pay between K70 to K100 per bag to get their cocoa to town. Last year, the price per bag was K1,800, which motivated farmers to continue despite the challenges.
Women Leading the Way Another young mother Lilly Barie also shared that before cocoa farming, mothers relied on selling fish, garden produce, and copra. Lilly who recently sell two bags said with cocoa work is easy especially for women and children and today in their Island, cocoa has become a game-changer.
“Women are now earning money and planning to expand their cocoa farms. The Wang Women Farmers Group, part of TGICCSL, consists of 46 farmers, the majority being women.
"I sold one bag of cocoa and saw how it helped my family. My husband works, but as a mom, I need to support him and our children. The first time, I sold one bag; now I sell two. With this money, I’ve saved and met my family’s needs,” said Lily.
The women shared utmost thanks you for the assistance from PACD and Simberi Gold Company Limited (SGCL), farmers have received tools and training for the first time. They now understand budding, pruning, and other essential practices. A satellite nursery with a capacity of 8,000 seedlings has been established, with plans to distribute 200 seedlings per farmer. Additionally, the introduction of cocoa fermentries will improve bean quality and reduce reliance on sun-drying.
The woman group has called for support from the rightful authorities for a cocoa buyer agent in the province (Konos or Kavieng) to reduce transport costs, subsidized prices to support smallholder farmers and continued training and provision of tools to sustain growth.
Inez started selling cocoa in 2024 with 3 bags, and her most recent sale was 14 bags a remarkable achievement that reflects the growing success of women cocoa farmers in Wang Ward.
PACD Support With the support from the PACD Cocoa Simberi partnership the women now already received a lot of support. They have received more training and skills on how to look after their cocoa blocks. Also, now they will have better cocoa tools to used in their cocoa block, and cocoa fermentary they will no longer sun dry and a better community hall to convene their meetings.
