Farmers

Launakalana Farmer supervisor, Kaile Korowi, is urging small holder farmers in the province to train how to farm cattle, goats and various other farm animals.

“We look after cattle, they will look after us in many ways. People can make a lot of money through cattle if you start it well and continue. If this much money can be made, small holder farmers are urged to take care of it and breeding. If you need help please come to the estate, we have a training program to help out. If you need cattle we also have here to support,” said Korowi.

Director of MUPA Cocoa Cooperative Ltd, Sperian Kapia, revealed that the company is now paying an elevated rate of K630 per bag for their dried beans. This stands in stark contrast to the typical average price range of K530 to K570 per bag offered by intermediary buyers. The initial shipment of 40 bags of premium dried beans has added an extra K4,000 to the cooperative's coffers.

Spearheaded by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), this initiative aims to enhance agribusiness development and foster economic growth by providing essential digital tools and knowledge to farmers.

The Sepik region, renowned for its fertile lands and vibrant farming communities, has faced challenges due to limited access to digital resources and skills. In response, the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, under the ITU's guidance, is bridging the digital divide by empowering lead farmers with various aspects of digital literacy.

However, the farmers face many challenges and they are increasingly turning to agricultural extension and development agencies to support and guide them in adapting their agriculture to improve the soil and increase productivity.

The National Research Institute (NRI) Spotlight Volume 16, Issue 12 is titled Innovative soil improvement training for increasing semi-subsistence farmers sweet potato production: lessons for application and sustainability.

It is progressing on improving the efficiency of value chain enablers, including sustainable, climate-proof transport infrastructure development in Papua New Guinea.

Led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), these two roads will support farming communities involved in cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries production to access further markets with more rewarding prices, and open up rural communities for agribusiness opportunities.

President of Farmers and Settlers Association Wilson Thompson has cautioned producers, processors and exporters of coffee, cocoa, rubber, copra, poultry and livestock including food processing and farm supplies companies in PNG.

He said the fees are directly related to agriculture and food production which will affect costs of production and prices paid to growers.

 Fees outlined include;

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the EU Funded UN Joint STREIT Programme in PNG recently conducted six capacity building trainings for cocoa and vanilla farmers in different remote parts of the Greater Sepik Region.

The interests shown by the youths were the highlights in all training venues who made up 54 percent of total 626 trainees.

His first son Don Mosley is attending the University of PNG doing his third year all supported through his father’s sweat on the land.

Mr Bob has other sons doing Grades 10 and six while his youngest daughter is in Grade 4 at Anglimp Primary and high schools where he comes from.

Anglimp in Jiwaka Province is part of the vast Wahgi Valley and growing fruits and vegetables is part of life for the dwellers both locals and block holders.

“Imagine working hard for two weeks to earn only K60! That was the struggle,” James said.

The couple have 500 cocoa trees in Teop, Tinputz District, in Bougainville’s north. In the past, James looked after the cocoa farm, while Emelia spent her time tending to the garden and fishing.

Despite their efforts, they struggled to save money or plan for the future.

But things started to change in 2017 when Emelia went with a friend to a CARE International training under the Bougainville Cocoa Families Support Project (BECOMES).

The team was there to asses and verify farming communities for partnership in providing market accessibility to small farmers.

The Market for Village Farmers – Maket Bilong Villis Fama (MVF) is a Government of PNG project financed by IFAD, executed by National Department of Agriculture & Livestock, and implemented by Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA).

The Project Development Objective is to achieve sustainable and increased returns to village farming households from marketed oriented production.