FPDA

Worinu made these remarks during the planning workshop for the Market for Village Farmers project (MVF) in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province recently.

Mr Worinu strongly emphasized that year 2021 is an important year for the project implementation; hence urges both the staff of FPDA, MVF and other stakeholders to work hard, and deliver much needed services to the farming communities who will benefit from the intervention.

The team comprised of officers from MVF, Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) and Department of Agriculture and Livestock who are based in the respective provinces.

MVF team leader Richard Alepa has acknowledged the lead farmers, aggregators, FPDA and DAL officers for their support in assisting MVF to complete the survey.

He said it was a learning experience to better understand the farmers, their experiences, challenges and ideas shared and how best MVF could assist.

The workshop was attended by partners including Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), CARE International and Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA).

FPDA General Manager Mark Worinu has welcomed CEFI and Care International for partnering with MVF to deliver the project.

He said he was thankful that CEFI and Care International have agreed to partner with MVF to deliver some key activities of the project.

“We never thought we would come this far working with reputable partners like this. It is indeed a privilege for MVF and FPDA.

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.  

Aku Kulo is a major kaukua farmer and buyer from the Asaro Valley, about 15 minutes-drive west of Goroka town is now venturing into mechanized farming and needed a market.

Last Thursday, Mr Kulo was surprised by a high-ranking visit to his farm by the board chairman of FPDA Fabian Chow and his two directors Greg Berry and Dos Kauga.

The team visited Mr Kulo’s farm which has developed from an ordinary village farm few years ago into a modern setting with irrigation already making its rounds.

General Manager Mark Worinu and his technical team were in the district at the invitation of Maprik MP and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock John Simon on the weekend.

Speaking to a huge crowd at Sologun village of Yamil Tamawi LLG, Mr Worinu said FPDA was happy to be a long-term partner with East Sepik province to provide training and expertise on the indigenous and introduced crops for commercial production.

The partnership is for three years at a cost of K3 million which will see FPDA providing technical assistance and mobilizing farmers to use their land and prioritized farming especially potatoes.

Southern Highlands Provincial Administrator Joseph Cajetan said agriculture is one of five key priority areas the Provincial administration has embarked on, in the province.

He added that the provincial administration has established a potato factory in Pangia district and the partnership between FPDA will boost the technical aspects of the farmers and grow more potatoes.

CPL Group also runs the Stop n Shop chain of supermarkets in Port Moresby and one of the biggest buyers of local fresh produce for their shelves.

Upon a formal discussion and invitation by Oro Governor Gary Juffa on the possibility of Oro supplying its fresh produce, CPL Group General Manager Ajay Patel met with Oro farmers with the display of some local produce.

Mr Patel said he was impressed with the display of produce and made a commitment to buy from the locals. He said CPL Group would buy on a weekly basis provided quality and consistency were maintained.

Governor William Powi has recently allocated K10 million to support rural farmers to grow potato to utilize the Innovative Agro Industry’s (IAI) Pangia Chips factory which is currently buying locally grown potato.

Department of Agriculture and Livestock Advisor for SHP Kenneth Kuim said he was pleased to see a remarkable interest shown by the local people in farming potato.

Despite the Corona Virus threats around the country, Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) was in the province to provide basic planting skills and supply materials for farmers on trial basis.