DailyPost Administrator posted on July 18, 2009 10:55
TAM TAM issue 87 Saturday 17 July 1982.
Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) Consultants preparing q long term plan for coffee development on Tanna returned to Port Vila on Wedensday 14th July after spending 6 days examining conditions on the island. The purpose of the visit was to examine the feasibility of increasing production by a balanced programme involving both local farmers and a coffee state with a processing., factory. Proposals envisage a joint venture between local farmers, custom owners, a consortium of investors and the Government of Vanuatu.
The team inspected A-gricultural Department and Community Coffee Nurseries and Coffee Demonstration Plots and visited coffee farmers plantations, situated in Middle Bush, Greenhill, Isiai, Imaki and Port Resolution areas. During the visit they took the opnortunity also of meeting and holding discussions with Mr. Joe Joseph, Secretary, Tafea Local Government Council: Mr. Tom Masitae. Chairman, Tafea Local Government Council: Mr. John Louhman, M.P.: Mr. Charlis Nakou, M.P.; Chief David Hosea; Mr. John Niere: Mr. Jimmy Nakapue and Mr. laris la-toka.
A Mobile Sawmill (operated by KITOW) has already started logging the economic timber on the site of several hundred hectares proposed for the estate.
The study was commissioned by the Government of Vanuatu under British Technical Co-operations arrangsmenls and is being carried out by the Commonwealth Development Corporation, which has indicated its interest in participating in agricultural development projects in Vanuatu. and Mr. Lewis Wallis, CDC Regional Agricultural Officer, (Suva), who was making his fourth visit to Tanna in connection with the proposals.
The programme on Tanna was arranged by Mr. Stephen Stordv, Agricultural Officer (SD) and the visitors were accompanied bv Mr. Vincent Millet, Senior Agricultural Officer/ Coffee Development Officer (Vila).
On their return to Vila the team made calls on various Ministries and Departments , and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Hon. Sethy on Friday 16th, they will be entertained by the British High Commissioner before leaving for London on Sunday 18th.