The cocoa sector in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is entering a new chapter in digital transformation. Through a strategic collaboration between the Australian government and local exporter NGIP-Agmark, thousands of cocoa farmers now have broader access to premium international markets.
This initiative focuses on implementing a strict traceability system. The integrated technologies include geospatial farm mapping, the use of QR code labels on each cocoa bag, and real-time electronic payment systems. To date, more than 8,000 farming households have been digitized within the system.
This modernization step proved effective following the successful export of 25 tons of cocoa to the European Union. The system implemented allows farmers to meet EU regulatory standards regarding deforestation, which require proof that the produced commodity does not come from illegal land clearing areas.
NGIP Group Agricultural Production Manager, Graham McNally, stated that this pilot model will soon be expanded across Papua New Guinea. According to him, the ability to digitally verify the origin of products is key to the sustainability of the cocoa industry amid rising global demand for environmentally friendly farming practices.
For local farmers, like Anisa in East New Britain, this technology provides guaranteed sustainable market access. With transparent and certified land data, their products are now recognized as premium commodities, which ultimately makes a real contribution to improving the living standards of rural communities and the national economic stability of PNG.
