British American Tobacco (BAT PNG)

Five solar dryers were constructed at a cost of K200,000 in five different locations to help farmers store their onion produce before they are supplied to urban markets.

Each solar dryer cost K20,000. 

Construction in all five locations are pilot projects, once completed will be officially launched next month.

The five sites are at Sogomi in Lower Bena, Kamaiufa, Mimanalo, in Goroka, Kabiufa Secondary School in Goroka, Nipuka in Lower Asaro, Daulo, and Keremu village, Upper Asaro, Daulo.   

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Aiye Tambua, strongly believes the increase in growing of bulb onions can give opportunities to local farmers. 

“Going forward we want to ban small things like onion, if we can grow them in the country why should we import more of that, so after 2-3 years if this product is gets off the road we might cut 50% of importation of onions so we give opportunity to our local farmers who are on the ground, local mothers who are on the ground so that they can earn more money in their pocket”, he stated. 

The partnership aims to increase the quality and the volume of bulb onions that farmer’s produce, which in turn will increase their revenues.

CEO of FPDA, Mark Worinu, spoke about the newly developed solar-drier that can assist with in sun drying the bulb onion shortening the cure days to 3 days after onion harvest.