Tuesday 19th August, 2025
The Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea (CBPNG) has launched a new digital platform to improve the country’s cocoa sector.
Supported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, the Cocoa Management Information System (CMIS) aims to streamline data collection and support better decision-making across the industry.
The system was officially handed over to CBPNG in Kokopo.
It collects real-time data on farmers, seedling distribution, production, exports, and other key areas.
This helps government agencies, farmers, and businesses plan and coordinate more effectively.
The ITU project officer, Kanagat Alyshbaev, explained that as part of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, ITU helped develop the CMIS to automate data collection, provide live dashboards, and improve planning and reporting.
This aims to ensure that support reaches farmers more quickly and that the entire cocoa value chain operates more efficiently.
“CMIS is practical for people in the field as well as policymakers, cutting duplication and errors. Over time, it will lift quality, traceability and incomes across Papua New Guinea’s cocoa sector,” Kanagat said.
CBPNG CEO Jesse Anjen expressed gratitude for the new system, saying it will help monitor exports and generate detailed reports.
Deputy Secretary for the Department of ICT (DICT) Russell Woruba praised the partnership, highlighting the importance of ICT innovation for agriculture.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing the CMIS and highlighted the close collaboration between DICT and the EU-STREIT PNG to ensure the system’s success.
Mr. Woruba described the launch as a significant milestone for both the industry and the government, noting that the initiative is part of a broader effort to develop the agriculture sector through ICT innovation.
He noted that the implementation of the CMIS enables the government to gain valuable insights into the cocoa industry, which will inform better policies and strategic decisions.
The platform aims to deliver four key results: automated data gathering, a knowledge-sharing hub, institutional support, and improved planning tools.
It will help farmers access advice on pests and diseases, increase quality planting materials, and improve market access for cocoa businesses.
To ensure accurate data, FAO trained 15 CBPNG officers on using tablets for real-time data collection.
Officers can now input information directly from the field, reducing errors and speeding up analysis.
This digital upgrade marks a significant step forward in modernizing Papua New Guinea’s cocoa industry, helping to improve incomes, food security, and industry connections both locally and internationally.