Community Organic Coffee Rehabilitation Project

 
 

Menyamya District, Morobe Province – Papua New Guinea

In January 2026, the Tom Aynsley Foundation approved funding for a community-led Organic Coffee Rehabilitation Project in the Menyamya District of Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. The project is being delivered by UNAM Vagrants Union Inc., a locally incorporated community organisation working with smallholder coffee-farming households in a remote and predominantly rural setting.

The Project

Coffee is a critical source of income for households across the Menyamya area. Over time, many coffee gardens have suffered from under-maintenance, ageing trees, limited access to tools, and declining yields. This project focuses on the rehabilitation of existing coffee gardens, rather than expansion, using practical, locally appropriate methods.

Key activities include:

  • pruning and rehabilitation of existing coffee trees;

  • soil improvement, mulching, and compost preparation;

  • selective replanting where required;

  • provision of basic tools and equipment;

  • training in organic farming practices and quality processing; and

  • local coordination, supervision, and monitoring.

The emphasis is on practical skills transfer, productivity improvement, and long-term sustainability.

Community Impact

The Menyamya community has a population of approximately 1,700 people. The project is expected to directly benefit around 1,200 community members, including:

  • household coffee farmers participating in rehabilitation activities;

  • young people engaged in field work, training, and ongoing maintenance; and

  • women involved in project coordination, decision-making, and community leadership roles.

By strengthening existing livelihoods and building local capability, the project aims to deliver broad-based benefits across the community and reinforce shared responsibility for long-term economic participation.

Funding

The Foundation has approved Kina 250,000 in initial funding for the project.

A further Kina 100,000 has been earmarked as a potential second-phase contribution, subject to the achievement of agreed milestones and a satisfactory mid-project review.

Funding is structured around staged drawdowns, clear reporting requirements, and strong governance arrangements.

Timeline

  • Approved: January 2026

  • Project commencement: Expected by the end of March 2026

  • Project duration: Approximately 12 months

Governance and Oversight

The project operates under a formal grant agreement with the Foundation. Financial controls, reporting, and disbursements are managed through regulated digital payment mechanisms, with regular reporting and independent community oversight built into the project framework.

Looking Ahead

This project reflects the Foundation’s commitment to community-driven initiatives, practical capacity-building, and sustainable livelihoods in rural and remote communities.

Updates on progress, milestones, and outcomes will be shared regularly as the project moves into implementation.