BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Makira Ulawa Provincial Government (MUPG) is urging its cocoa farmers to prepare for the upcoming cocoa factory in Kirakira, Makira Ulawa Province, which is currently under construction.

The call aims to encourage farmers to get ready to maximize the benefits of the factory, which is expected to begin operations next year.

Makira Ulawa Province Premier, Stanley Siapu, highlighted this yesterday as the project nears completion.

“Construction of the cocoa factory building is in its final stages and will soon be completed. Following this, machinery installation is expected to take place in the first quarter of next year,” Premier Siapu said.

He added that the project implementation has progressed according to schedule, and as planned, it should already be nearing handover to the province. Siapu’s office will coordinate with the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) to finalize the handover arrangements.

Premier Siapu described the cocoa factory as one of his government’s flagship projects, emphasizing its potential to significantly benefit cocoa farmers and create economic opportunities for the province.

“This project will be a game changer for cocoa farmers in MUP, given the substantial economic impact it will have on the people of the province,” Siapu stated.

The factory will allow for downstream processing of cocoa into finished products for both local and international markets.

The premier called on cocoa farmers in the province to prepare themselves to fully benefit from this landmark development, which is the first of its kind in the country.

The project is funded by the national government through three line ministries: the Ministry of National Planning, Development, and Aid Coordination; the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour, and Immigration; and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.