Central nursery
A permanent nursery for cocoa propagation, hardening, replacement stock, demonstration and future registered-grower needs.
Flagship initiative · 2027–2036 vision
Ania Integrated Agriculture Development Project
A cocoa-led pathway connecting productive land, organised growers, quality systems and future market access.
By 2036, AHL envisages a landowner-led agricultural economy capable of producing quality cocoa, organising grower supply and retaining more value within communities of origin.
Purpose and place
A long-term platform for production and participation.
AIADP is planned for the Ania Basin and surrounding customary land areas associated with Awit and Umsipel near the East New Britain–West New Britain provincial boundary. The Phase 1 central nursery and support infrastructure is proposed for Amio Village, Ward 1, Gasmata LLG, Kandrian–Gloucester District, West New Britain Province.
The nucleus estate and permanent nursery are intended to provide an initial production base, reliable planting material, demonstration capacity and technical coordination. Existing smallholder cocoa can support early aggregation while new plantings mature.
Nucleus estate
A phased 100-hectare cocoa estate, beginning with a planned 40-hectare Phase 1 establishment program.
Grower network
Voluntary participation supported by registration, training, traceability, collection and documented settlement.
Quality systems
Consistent fermentation, drying, grading, storage and lot records designed to strengthen buyer confidence.
Market development
Progressive buyer relationships, aggregation and regulatory readiness, with direct export as a conditional long-term objective.
Rural enterprise
Employment, transport, services and locally owned businesses supported by agricultural production and income.
Phased growth
A practical sequence toward a 100-hectare estate.
Central nursery, support infrastructure, field mobility, core workforce and initial cocoa establishment.
Expansion of the nucleus estate and structured links with participating smallholders.
Completion of the planned nucleus development and consolidation of commercial operations.
Ten-year direction
From establishment to market readiness.
- 2027–2028Establish the platform
Land and boundary verification, nursery mobilisation, initial planting, workforce systems and grower inventory.
- 2029–2030Strengthen supply and quality
Estate expansion, rehabilitation support, post-harvest discipline, traceability and aggregation systems.
- 2031 onwardDevelop direct market capability
Licensing, storage, financial controls and buyer relationships, subject to supply, quality and regulatory readiness.
- By 2036Measure durable outcomes
Grower payments, production, quality, employment, skills, enterprise participation and infrastructure improvement.
Proposed commercial pathways
Clear arrangements for different growers.
Mangseng Grower Export Scheme
A proposed agency-style arrangement in which accepted deliveries are weighed, assessed, docketed and linked to the grower through storage, sale and settlement. Final terms require Board, legal, tax and grower approval.
Commercial cocoa buying
A separate proposed buying pathway for non-Mangseng growers, under which AHL purchases accepted cocoa at a published price and assumes ownership following completed sale and payment.
Safeguards and accountability
Development must be documented and responsible.
- Customary ownership remains with customary landowners.
- No block should proceed before access is endorsed and boundaries are verified.
- Procurement, expenditure and assets require auditable records.
- Environmental protection, buffer zones and rehabilitation actions must be monitored.
- Community consultation, training and grievance records form part of implementation.
- Public infrastructure and services depend on agreements with responsible authorities and providers.
Current status
A development vision, not a claim of completion.
AIADP remains a staged initiative. Funding, licensing, land access, customary landowner agreements, construction, planting and export activities remain subject to the relevant approvals, finance, technical verification and implementation conditions. Proposed dates and outcomes may change as these requirements are resolved.