Development and challenges of cocoa cooperatives in Papua New Guinea: case of Manus province

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), cooperatives have a long and dynamic history, and since 2000 they have been promoted by the government as a vehicle for economic and social development. There have been few studies on cooperatives in PNG and no prior research into cocoa cooperatives. This study explores the development and challenges of cocoa cooperatives in PNG. Cooperatives were mainly formed as a response to governmental initiatives as well as to provide access to processing facilities, overcome market difficulties, reduce unemployment and improve living conditions. Cooperatives and collectives among farmers and growers are important mechanisms in fostering social and economic development in PNG. Problems associated with land tenure insecurity, small land holdings, lack of access to capital, poor rural infrastructure, among others, have been reduced with farmer collectives and cooperatives across the Pacific countries. This paper outlines the role that cooperatives, and cocoa cooperatives in particular, have had in rural development in the Manus province of PNG.