281211COFFEE TESTED IN WISAI

By Tapo Tovilu

Coffee is currently being trilled in the mountain areas of Wisai in South Bougainville.

The plant, which is only grown in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, has been tested as part of a trail program run by the Coffee Growers Association in the Islands region.

Bougainville CGA representative Semion Pereka said that the trial program in Wisai is the first in South Bougainville and will be tested in other parts of the region.

He added that the climate and soil composite of the area in which it is been planted is similar to that of the parts of the Highlands region where coffee thrives.

Mr Pereka said that only a small area is been cleared in preparation for the trail plant with the coffee plants still yet in nursery.

He said that if the coffee is successful in Wisai, other parts will also be tested to see if the plant can be grown successfully.

The project started in November and the association is hopeful that the outcome of the trail will be promising.

End…///