Farmers in the Wau area of Bulolo district congregated on Thursday at Biawen to thank the Fresh Produce Development Agency for skills learnt through the recent training.
Present at the occasion was NKW Fresh General Manager, David Stewart, and FPDA supply chain manager Noel Kuman.
Coming from different model farms in Wau, the farmers gathered at Biawen and presented gifts to members of the Fresh Produce Development Agency and invited guests.
Six years ago, FPDA extension officers trained the farmers on how to grow their produce and where to sell them to make a living.
Though they were from the mining area, the farmers had to forgo their past experiences in alluvial mining and start implementing their newly-acquired farming skills.
Today, the farmers are earning money on a fortnightly basis, just like the working class. They have also opened bank accounts, including their children’s.
FPDA supply chain manager, Noel Kuman, urged the farmers not to give up but to continue farming as it will sustain their livelihood.
Meantime, NKW Fresh General Manager, David Stewart, said NKW will always work closely with the farmers to make sure their produce meets world standard requirements.
NKW is the company that buys fresh produce from the farmers.
Through NKW Fresh, the Seven Model farmers and their contact farmers are now supplying fresh produce in large quantities to the MMJV mine, Lihir, Manus Processing Centre for asylum seekers and major super markets around the country.
