18/02/2025
Youth employment, coffee industry, sustainable livelihoods, value chains, for Okapa
Coffee should be one of the key agricultural commodities in the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government budget and of Okapa’s pursuance of economic growth and job creation, especially for the rapidly expanding youth population. A significant number of job opportunities exist for young people along the coffee value chain, not only in production but increasingly in processing, trade and marketing, as well as service provision. Okapa District Development Authority (ODDA) should look no further but to support youth in realizing employment and entrepreneurship potential in the coffee sector, by facilitating their sustainable access to productive resources and markets, and equipping them with the necessary skills and capital.
I in my recent trip to Okapa in December 2024, as a chairman of Ne-esu Community Development Association a registered NGO since 2020, I went and established Ne-esu Kofi & Mareta Festival with National Cultural Commission (NCC) for the Okapa people to celebrate the diversity of Okapa’s quality coffee all year round with the support from PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA), PACD and ODDA in funding such festivals.
Cut the story short. I believe if Okapa District Development Authority (ODDA) can support such initiative from the locals (Okapian’s) and work closely with it’s local elites, the Okapian’s will thoroughly go out of their ways to develop their own communities in such economy activities.
My biggest desire when I’m with the coffee king Mr. Potaisa H. Hombunaka, it’s an honor and privilege for me to travel some part of EHP and seen that the PACD projects was something new for me to tell my people of Okapa especially my Gimi or Kimi’s and part of Keyagana people the beauty of what I see under Mr. Potaisa Hombunaka s leadership in coffee.
My recommendation to ODDA, please work closely with CIC-PACD and bring some change in our rural communities of Okapa meaning the real development.
Okapa is truly and really blessed to the its fullness.
God bless Okapa.
Thank you all
Tia-Numu Tiapo Enavera Ario Osese
Chairman
Ne-esu Community Development Association Inc.
Something for us to see if unrich coffee growing province can support coffee....Why Okapa?
