A Review of Kokonas Indastri Koporesen: A Leading Coconut Industry Regulator in Papua New Guinea

Introduction

Coconut is one of the most important crops in Papua New Guinea (PNG), providing income, food and livelihoods for millions of people. The coconut industry in PNG is diverse and dynamic, producing a range of products from copra, coconut oil, virgin coconut oil, soap, body oils, activated charcoal, vinegar, nata de coco, coconut cream and milk, and handicrafts. The industry also has a significant potential for further growth and development, especially in the areas of high value coconut products (HVCPs), agroforestry, replanting and climate change adaptation.

To regulate, promote and support the coconut industry in PNG, the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK) was established as a statutory body under the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen Act 2002. KIK is responsible for conducting research, providing technical services, inspecting and licensing coconut processing facilities, collecting and disseminating market information and statistics, developing and implementing projects, and facilitating stakeholder collaboration. KIK’s vision is to be “a world class coconut industry regulator that contributes to the economic and social well-being of all Papua New Guineans” ¹.

In this review, we will examine the background, activities, achievements and strengths of KIK as an employer and as an industry leader. We will also compare KIK with other similar organizations in PNG and in the world, and explore how Wantokjobs.com can assist KIK with its recruitment needs using its features and services. Finally, we will conclude with some recommendations and challenges for KIK to further improve its performance and impact.

Background and Activities of KIK

KIK traces its origin back to 1957, when the Copra Marketing Board (CMB) was established to control all copra trading in PNG. The CMB operated until 2001, when it was replaced by the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen Act 2002. The Act gave KIK a broader mandate to regulate not only copra but also other coconut products and activities ².

KIK has three main divisions: Corporate Services, Industry Services and Research & Development. The Corporate Services Division is responsible for all administrative functions of KIK, such as human resource, finance, risk management, logistics and asset registry. The Industry Services Division performs the core function of KIK, providing technical services such as export inspections, license inspections, economics and market analysis, statistical compilation and dissemination, copra quality training and project development. The Research & Development Division is responsible for breeding (including maintenance of coconut seed gardens and the South Pacific Coconut Gene-bank), agronomy and farming systems, plant protection (pests and diseases) and post-harvest (processing, quality assurance and marketing systems) ¹.

KIK’s head office is located in Port Moresby, National Capital District, with regional offices in Port Moresby, Kokopo and Madang. KIK has a staff of about 100 employees ³, who are qualified and experienced in various fields related to the coconut industry. KIK also works closely with other stakeholders such as the National Government, provincial governments, local level governments, farmers’ associations, cooperatives, processors, exporters, buyers, consumers, research institutions, non-governmental organizations and development partners.

Achievements and Strengths of KIK

KIK has achieved many milestones and successes since its inception in 2002. Some of the notable achievements include:

• Establishing the South Pacific Coconut Gene-bank in Madang Province in 2004 to conserve the genetic diversity of coconut varieties in the region ⁴.
• Developing a Strategic Plan 2016-2025 to guide its vision, mission, goals and objectives ¹.
• Implementing various projects funded by the Public Investment Program (PIP) Budget to support the development of HVCPs by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) ¹.
• Conducting coconut replanting programs and plantation rehabilitation around the coconut growing regions in the country to increase productivity and resilience ¹.
• Producing various publications such as manuals, guides, newsletters, reports and brochures to disseminate information and knowledge on the coconut industry ⁵.
• Organizing workshops, trainings, seminars and exhibitions to enhance the capacity and awareness of stakeholders on various aspects of the coconut industry ⁵.
• Participating in national and international forums and events to promote the coconut industry and share best practices ⁵.

Some of the key strengths of KIK as an employer and as an industry leader are:

• Having a clear mandate and legal framework to regulate the coconut industry in PNG ².
• Having a diverse and dynamic industry that offers a range of opportunities and challenges for innovation and development ¹.
• Having a dedicated and skilled staff who are committed to the vision and mission of KIK ³.
• Having a strong network and collaboration with various stakeholders and partners who share a common interest and goal in the coconut industry ¹.
• Having a rich and valuable resource base of coconut genetic material, data, information and knowledge that can be utilized for research and development ⁴⁵.

Comparison with Other Employers in PNG and in the World

KIK is one of the few statutory bodies in PNG that is focused on a specific commodity sector. Other similar organizations include the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC), the Cocoa Board of PNG (CBPNG), the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC) and the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA). These organizations have similar functions and roles as KIK, such as regulating, promoting, supporting and developing their respective industries. However, they also have some differences in terms of their size, structure, scope, funding, challenges and opportunities.

Compared to other employers in the world that are involved in the coconut industry, KIK has some advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages are:

• Being located in a country that has a large and diverse coconut resource base, with about 1.8 million hectares of coconut land and over 200 million coconut palms .
• Being able to access regional and international markets for coconut products, especially for HVCPs that have a high demand and value .
• Being able to benefit from regional and international cooperation and assistance from organizations such as the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union (EU) .

Some of the disadvantages are:

• Facing competition from other coconut producing countries that have lower production costs, higher productivity, better quality standards and more advanced technologies .
• Facing challenges such as aging coconut palms, pests and diseases, natural disasters, land tenure issues, poor infrastructure, low farmer income, limited access to finance, skills and markets .
• Facing constraints such as limited funding, human resources, equipment, facilities and capacity to effectively regulate, monitor and support the coconut industry ¹.

How Wantokjobs.com Can Assist KIK with Recruitment

Wantokjobs.com is an online platform that connects employers and job seekers in PNG. It offers various features and services that can assist KIK with its recruitment needs, such as:

• Posting job vacancies on its website and social media channels, reaching a large and diverse pool of potential candidates .
• Providing online tools for screening, shortlisting and interviewing candidates, saving time and resources for KIK .
• Offering career advice, tips and resources for job seekers, enhancing their skills and readiness for employment .
• Providing feedback and support for both employers and job seekers throughout the recruitment process, ensuring a smooth and satisfactory outcome .

Wantokjobs.com can also help KIK with its recruitment needs by:

• Promoting the coconut industry as a rewarding and attractive career option for job seekers, especially for young people who may not be aware of the opportunities and benefits of working in the sector .
• Highlighting the achievements and strengths of KIK as an employer and as an industry leader, showcasing its vision, mission, goals and objectives ¹.
• Identifying the skills gaps and training needs of KIK staff, providing relevant courses and programs to enhance their capacity and performance .
• Building a network of alumni and mentors for KIK staff, facilitating knowledge sharing, peer learning and professional development .

Conclusion

KIK is a statutory body that regulates the coconut industry in PNG. It has a long history, a clear mandate, a diverse industry, a dedicated staff, a strong network and a valuable resource base. It has achieved many successes and has many strengths as an employer and as an industry leader. However, it also faces some challenges and competition from other employers in PNG and in the world. Wantokjobs.com can assist KIK with its recruitment needs by providing various features and services that can help attract, select, retain and develop qualified candidates for KIK.

KIK has a great potential to contribute to the economic and social well-being of all Papua New Guineans through the coconut industry. It can do so by continuing to pursue its vision, mission, goals and objectives, by overcoming its challenges and by leveraging its opportunities. Wantokjobs.com is ready to support KIK in its journey to become a world class coconut industry regulator.

¹: https://www.kik.com.pg/

²: https://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act