WNB’s Urban Farmers & Tribesmen Cooperative Society launch Aquaponics project

The people of West New Britain have reason to celebrate as they become the 1st Province in establishing and operating the first commercial aquaponics project.

Officially opened on Sunday morning at Sarakolok Section 5, by the PNG Urban Farmers Director, and Tribesmen Corporative executives, the project saw the release of fingerlings into the four ponds.

Materials used to construct the four ponds, with fresh water pumped in was built at a cost of K31, 000. Fresh water is pumped through by the generator, for the fish to breed as well as the plants to grow in. The farm, when in full operational capacity will be able to produce 4,000 Super Tilapia fish for export value per month.

Initiated by Luke Mukisa and with support from Ronald Coehn from the Urban Farmers, the farm at Sarakolok will be one of the breeding farms to supply other proposed farms in the Province.

The launch was witnessed by Jamie Maxtone Graham owner of Wellness Lodge and former South Waghi MP, Mosa LLG president  Dacca Wagai, Block owners at Sarakolok together with the Chairman and members of Tribesmen Corporative Society.

Wagai, during his short speech was impressed with this project and  has urged oil palm farmers who now have fourth generations living on the block, to put to good use their income. “Many oil palm growers here, are suffering due to land shortage as oil palm has taken up most of our little land allocated in the six hectare plots.

“We should by now be able to diversify our income generation, in order to support our families and provide other means of support for them. Growing vegetables and getting fresh fish in the backyard of your oil palm block is an interesting option. We have lived on our oil palm blocks for more than 40 years, but not many of us have assets and most times we are financially handicapped,” Wagai said.

Urban Farmers has initially came up with this technology. In West New Britain Hickz Consultation Limited will be providing expertise, technical support as well as promotion of this concept. All levels of Government should support such an initiative that is for the people by the people and is the first of its kind in the Province, Country and the world according to the designer and owner of this technology, Ronald Coehn.

The Port Moresby centre operates a training farm, and the  other centres to have similar systems introduced will be Morobe and Northern provinces.

“Our gratitude and appreciation goes to Coehn and Urban Farmers PNG for having the trust in us at WNB for the 1st commercial trial project.”

Jamie Maxtone-Graham was also present and officially endorsed the project stating that, Papua New Guineans are dying from Lifestyle diseases such as Cancer and Heart Attack, which was never heard about in our ancestral days. PNG only had communicable diseases at that time, but in the recent years studies and health statistics from our Hospitals have shown an increase in Lifestyle diseases.

He urged the people of West New Britain to cut down spending and intake of processed food, and live more on fresh organically grown food. “Your province is blessed with rich soil and food source, make use of your land and eat well from it. The environment around this world is being polluted every day, and PNG is one of the three or four countries left with natural resources, but at the rate our country is going, we might end up with nothing if we don’t protect our environment.  Maxtone-Graham will be endorsing all the aquaponics projects by Urban Farmers and will be fully supporting their programs.

Tribesman Farmers Technical Advisor, Luke Mukisa also announced that 10 more ponds will be ready from which Tribesman Corporative Society will be taking the lead in implementation and coordination.

The Tribesman Cooperative Society members and  Chairman Francis Mas also applauded the project and stated that a bottom up approach is the way to go. The government has always stated that if you start a project and if viable we will come assist and complete that project. This is one such project and we request the WNBP Government and our Members of Parliament to hear our humble request by supporting this initiative. At this point in time, getting PNG Power to immediately connect power to the project site here in Sarakolok Division- Section 5 would be much appreciated.

​What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is a system for farming fish and plants together in a mutually beneficial cycle. Fish produce wastes that turn into nitrates and ammonia. These aren't good for the fish if they build up too much, but they're great fertiliser for plants.

As the plants suck up these nutrients, they purify the water, which is good for the fish. Many cultures have made use of this cycle to grow better crops and nurture the fish as an additional food source. http://home.howstuffworks.com/lawn-garden/professional-landscaping/alternative-methods/what-is-aquaponics.htm

Author: 
Dianne Mirio