farming

The farming inputs include fertilisers, where low profit margins can push families to use more artificial and imported fertilisers.

Janet Pungin, a mother of four in her 50s, is responsible for farming and raising livestock in her household, especially caring for pigs.

“Because pigs are valued in Engan culture, it is my responsibility to ensure that our pigs are fed and taken care of. Pigs are fed sweet potato so it is important there is a constant supply of feed for the pigs,” she said.

Caspar Nol is in charge of a coffee association in Simbai. He raised this concern recently, adding that farmers in the villagers have a lot of coffee to sell, but cannot bring it to Simbai Station and on to Mt Hagen. 

Mr Nol said he and others look after the coffee warehouse at Simbai. They have bought a tractor and need help in bringing the machinery to Simbai to resolve the transportation issue between local villages and the coffee warehouse.

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.

That's been the premise and promise of the organic movement since its origins in the 1920s: farming that's healthy, ecological, and socially just.

Many people -- from consumers and farmers to scientists and international organizations -- believe that organic agriculture can produce enough nutritious food to feed the world without destroying the environment, while being more resilient to climate change and improving the livelihoods of farmers.

Through a field day last week, the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) demonstrated several research-based and innovative best practices. 

NARI’s Tambul based regional development co-ordinator Kud Sitango said the event was organized for farmers to acquire new and improved ideas and skills by seeing and learning from exhibitions and demonstrations by agricultural researchers.