The Innovative Agro Industries PNG Ltd is now buying produce from local smallholder farmers to market together with the Agro Industrial Centre (AIC) project produce farmed onsite.
To accomplish both National and Provincial objectives in the agriculture sector, the Enga Provincial Government (EPG) and Innovative Agro Industry Ltd (IAI) entered into an agreement in February last year for the Establishment of the Agro Industrial Centre (AIC) in Sirunki, Enga Province.
The project is operated under the registered company - ENGA AIC Ltd.
Chairman of IAI PNG, Ilan Weiss said earlier this month local farmers from the project impact area were invited to meet at Yaskom Resort hotel by the Enga Province DAL officers and IAI PNG farm manager.
More than 150 farmers participated.
The main focus of the meet was on ensuring the quality and quantity of produce supplied by local out-grower farmers to the project.
The Enga AIC Ltd project ensures that all participating farmers have a guaranteed market for their crops.
These crops are mainly potato, however, bulb onions, strawberries and carrots are also grown locally.
“We have already started to receive, sort and purchase crops from some participating farmers. This has injected much needed cash into the local community. Farmers no longer have to transport their goods to markets in Mount Hagen or further.”
Weiss said only through committed local participation can their projects grow and act as a catalyst for change, lifting ordinary smallholder farmers out of a subsistence lifestyle and into the cash economy.
“Our partnership with the Enga Provincial Government on this particular project has made a positive impact on the local community in terms of their participation.”