​Improved farming method for Porgera farmers

An improved vegetable farming method has been introduced recently to local farmers in Porgera valley, aimed at improving soil fertility for higher vegetable yields.

Porgera Joint Venture (PJV) introduced the method, which is also aimed at assisting farmers re-use their gardening plots all year round.    

The initiative was under the PJV Food Security Program.  

According to community development senior advisor, Regina Toropo, the method not only boosts soil fertility but improves quality and yield of vegetables, where the surplus can be sold at local markets.

“The results remain favourable as long as farmers continue to make composts and apply to their gardens.”  

On 19 June this year, community development senior officer, Peter Tumun, demonstrated the appropriate way to prepare composts for seedlings, nursery beds and garden plots.

Tumun was assisted by PJV village agriculture extension worker (VAEW) Rose-benami Alua.

The session was attended by some members of the Porgera branch of Women in Business (WiB) at the Anawe WiB nursery.

The local WiB group has over 1,000 members from 32 affiliated groups within the Porgera district and the Paiela sub-district.

Ms Alua, a local woman, is the champion of the food security program, which started in 2010.

Her typical day involves a lot of engagement with local farming champions on the many programs and techniques that PJV introduces. 

“I conduct training on how to do compost, seedling nursery, watering, measuring and planting, how to apply fertiliser and how to harvest and pack the produce,” she said.

Ms Toropo also said PJV trains the VAEWs to work with local farmers.  

Participant Melissa Laubu is an active WiB member and participates in agriculture training conducted by PJV.  

“I practice at home what they teach us about agriculture. I have a small nursery shelter and I raise my own seedlings. I plant them in my own garden.

“When it’s ready I harvest and sell some of the produce. I earn about K50 for a seedling tray,” Ms Laubu said. 

PJV also provides information and training on many other farming related activities and includes; planting specific non-local crops such as carrots, strawberries, bulb onions; and livestock raising such as duck farming and the production of sweet potato silage; among others.

Author: 
Press release