National Agritourism Forum- 27th-

28th May 2019 –Port Moresby

 BOUGAINVILLE CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL UPDATE
• Bougainville Chocolate Festival is an integral part
of the work being done in Bougainville by
Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) in
partnership with development partners to
revive the cocoa industry in Bougainville.
• It is an initiative of ABG led by the Departments
of Primary Industry and Economic Development,
in partnership with the National Government,
Australia and New Zealand.
• The Festival has been staged around the 3
regions of Bougainville, the event was staged in
Buin Town South Bougainville in 2016. Arawa,
Town Central Bougainville in 2017 , and in Buka,
North Bougainville last year 2018
• Cocoa farmers across Bougainville normally
prepare their world class beans for the
Bougainville Chocolate Festival.
• At the Festival, beans from across the three
regions are processed into chocolate for judging
by a panel of international chocolatiers.
• The Festival is also a fun program with music,
films, entertainment and stalls from last year’s
gold medallist displaying their chocolate. We
want to encourage ‘the next generation’ of cocoa
farmers: young people and women.”
 PURPOSE/ GOAL OF THE
BOUGAINVILLE CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
The general aims of the “World Class Cocoa for
Festival are to promote: World Class Beans”
Greater Economic Growth and Fiscal Self-
✓ quality of cocoa grown reliance
in Bougainville,
✓ create industry
exposure,
✓ and improve market
linkages to international
markets.

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 MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
• Increased cocoa farmers participation and bring together
chocolatiers, industry representatives and government
officials to network and discuss market access, share
improved farming and processing techniques. As well as
sample the delicious chocolate made from Bougainville’s
finest beans.
• Increased international exposure to Bougainville's’ fine
quality cocoa, also led to improvements in the quality and
yield of beans for cocoa farmers.
• Increased total of farmers winning gold according to
internationally –charge criteria.
• Since 2016, the Bougainville Chocolate Festival has been
linking the best quality producing farmers with international
cocoa buyers and chocolate makers.
COCOA PLUS HARVEST

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 MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS CONT…….
• Increased exposure to different and innovative ways
of cocoa block management and general agricultural
practices;.
• Increased number of local and international visitors
to Bougainville to witness various competitions
cultural displays, local handcrafts & souvenirs and
tours around the island.
• The Nunu Chocolate Black Opal won the 2017 Gold
Medal at the Academy of Chocolate Awards in
London while Nunu Chocolate Twilight won the 2017
Gold Medal at the Australian Foods Awards.
• The DPI launched its first ever chocolate processing
lab in Buka last year (September 2018).
CHOCOLATE BARS

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 MAJOR CHALLENGES
 Lack of proper infrastructure throughout Bougainville e.g. Roads,
bridges, ports, wharfs/jetties.
 High transport and basic service costs. Primarily as a result of lack
of infrastructure.
 Financial constraints and lack of resources. Low government
funding allocations resulting in an understaffed and underfunded
directorate.
 Less progress in facilitating widespread access to new and higher-
value added markets for cocoa (due to an array of issues).
 Lack of strong partnership by all stakeholders/partners in the
staging of the Festival.
 MAJOR CHALLENGES CONT……..

 Inadequate availability of cocoa processing

equipment such as cocoa dryers, chocolate
makers, etc.
 Most of cocoa beans are exported through
ENBP due to licensing issues.
 HIGHEST PRIORITIES FOR 2019
Priorities
• Increase technical and specific
information and knowledge on
cocoa quality improvement
including fermenting,
processing and drying.
• Increase marketing and
promotion of social media
engagement and significant
increase in national and
international coverage.
• Improve information gathering
on cocoa productivity.
 CONCLUSION
• Overhauling of the two sectors
(Agriculture & Tourism) to better
complement each other as well
as forging of strategic
partnerships between the various
stakeholders.
• The potential benefits of
agritourism for local agriculture
are varied. First agritourism may
generate diversification
opportunities for local farmers to
increase revenues and enhance
the viability of their operations.

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 THANK YOU,
ANY QUESTION?