Tanna coffee is slowly bouncing back to business following the severe destruction from Cyclone Pam in March last year.
The production of coffee for 2016 has started 3 months late compared to other years and so far the company has harvested 5,000 kg from an overall estimated produce of 15,000 kg says Terry Adlington the owner of Tanna Coffee.
With an anticipated production of 100,000kg produce in 2015, Tanna coffee was only able to produce a total of 8,000 kg.
Tanna coffee will not be able to make a comeback with a target of 100,000 kg produce until in 3-4 years’ time but is slowly bouncing back to business says Adlington.
The decline in the produce was a major setback since devastating Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu destroying most of the coffee plants.
Cyclone Pam damaged over half of the entire coffee industry and the industry lost around 350, 000 plants in 2015 added Adlington.
“We basically lost everything. The initial estimates for immediate loss of trees and production for 2015 was to be around $2m. The cost of recovery and rehabilitation of the damaged trees were amounted to an additional cost of $200,000 and a nine month period of work.
With a lack of any direct assistance or support from government or donors, the industry is trying its best to organize the farms added Adlington.
“Many farmers have virtually lost all of their coffee trees and now are totally disillusioned with the industry.”
To increase its yields Tanna coffee is currently planning a new coffee development programme that is seeking international support to facilitate it says Adlington.
Tanna coffee is grown in the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu under the shadows of still-active Yasur volcano.
Tanna coffee engages farmers from the island and their families to work on the farms which in return helps them earn for themselves.
Photo: Tanna Coffee