Trukai Industries

Leading rice distributor Trukai Rice Industries has always jumped onto the Morobe Show’s bandwagon to showcase their involvement in the agriculture sector. This time  the favourite rice company has  come around with a sponsorship package of K60,000 – K55,000 in cash and K5 000 worth of rice to be distributed to sing sing groups.

The company in a cheque presentation to the Morobe Show committee today continues a partnership of 25 years supporting event.

Tomscoll said in Parliament this week that currently, PNG is importing about 350,000 tons of rice per year, which equates to something close to K600m to K700m.

Tomscoll said rice import this year will fall by just K16m due to drought and other factors affecting the total global production.

Meantime, Trukai Industries Limited chief executive officer, Greg Worthington-Eyre, said they’re not aware of any shortages of rice in rice producing countries that would impact pricing or supply in PNG.

The cheque presentation took place yesterday at the farewell for Team PNG at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Centre, Port Moresby.

Trukai general manager of sales and marketing, Andrew Daubney explained that the money for Team PNG was raised from the annual Trukai Fun Run.

“We had a record sale of 100,000 shirts and participation of 70,000 people in the Fun Run this year across 16 provinces in the country.

“But more importantly, it raised money for Team PNG to go Rio and participate in the biggest sporting event in the world,” said Daubney.

Now in its third year, the annual event will showcase innovation within Papua New Guinea’s agricultural industry through a range of demonstrations, while providing an insight into the products and processes of Trukai.

The event will be centred on ‘Developing Integrated Farming Systems for Food Security in PNG’.

Trukai Agricultural Manager, Jarrod Pirrie, said the day’s agenda will be about much more than Trukai’s primary product.

There to officiate at the event included President of the PNG Olympic Committee, Sir John Dawanincura, Trukai's National Marketing Manager, Maybellyne Fernandes, PNG's super fish, Ryan Pini and Team PNG Chef de Mission to Rio, Emma Waiwai.

This year's event is expected to see over 50,000 participants hit the streets to take part in the nationwide event on June 26, 2016.

The PNG Cancer Foundation has also joined in as a partner for the Fun Run with Patron, Lynda Baboa-O'Neill present to launch the Fun Run shirts.

Focusing on health and strength within Papua New Guinea, TruCare will incorporate both urban and rural sectors, with Trukai’s existing framework forming the foundation of the company’s CSR structure.

Trukai’s ongoing commitment to the remote areas of PNG focuses on promoting ‘Healthy Eating’, especially the importance of a healthy diet. With malaria, child illness, and tuberculosis still prevalent in rural communities, the role of rice in improving the immune system forms an integral part of the brand’s strategy.

The opportunity will be for sharing of experience and capability on local rice development projects that Trukai has undertaken in partnership with various communities across PNG.    

Trukai's rice development projects are targeted at establishing a commercially viable rice growing industry for PNG.

Anne Kewe is Trukai’s longest serving team member, having started her career after graduating from Lae Secretarial College in 1980.

She has since gone on to occupy an array of roles within Trukai, and on Tuesday (19/01/16) marked 35 years since her first day at the company.

For Anne, longevity runs in the family.

“My old family friends and relatives say I am following in my father’s legacy,” she said.

“He worked for Telikom for more than thirty years before he retired and I consider him to be my role model.

Having been operational for longer than Papua New Guinea has been independent, Trukai Industries continues to build on its identity as the most trusted of PNG brands throughout 2015.

During a year in which Agricultural Minister, Tommy Tomscoll instructed rice companies to start investing money into assisting farmers, Trukai showed its commitment to the local industry by announcing plans to develop rice farming in PNG.

The announcement was made this week after the arrival of the 2015 NRL Premiership Trophy into the country led by veteran Cowboys player, Brent Tate.

Trukai has been sponsoring the Cowboys since 2008.

Its logo will continue to appear prominently on the Cowboys uniform shorts.

General Manager for Sales & Marketing, Andrew Daubney said it was a great pleasure to be part of the Cowboys in their partnership to continue to promote and develop rugby league in PNG.