Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA)

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.

The PNGMPHS will help train communities in the Moran and Kutubu areas of the Southern Highlands to learn different vegetable and fruit farming skills and methods, including quality control, harvesting, packaging and marketing skills.

Santos Executive Vice President and Co-Head PNG, Leon Buskens, said the innovative project builds on existing agriculture programs, aimed at mitigating the lack of fresh vegetable and fruit value chain within communities in the Santos project impact areas.

Konda Village in the Kelua and Kelta community in Keltiga, of Hagen Central District, were proudly received two fully fledged model farms and irrigation systems funded by FPDA.

Kelua’s was launched on Friday October 8, by FPDA’s Executive Manager Joe Koima. The Keltiga model farm was launched by FPDA General Manager and CEO Mark Worinu.

Mr Worinu said farmers in this part of Western Highlands were known for growing potato, besides kaukau and other vegetables. Growing bulb onion is something new.

In a space of less than two months, the team has successfully forged partnerships with the Pomio District in East New Britain and Talasea in West New Britain provinces.

In an interview with FPDA’s executive manager, John Pono, it has always been FPDA’s plan to branch out into more communities as possible with aim to strengthen food security and economic growth or wealth for the people.

He said in August, FPDA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Pomio district development authority (PDDA) and work is underway in the area.

The project that aims to run for three years will see local farmers tap into growing potatoes, round onions, cabbage and other food commodities that not only generate income but food security.

In a memorandum of understanding signed between the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) and Talasea District Development Authority (TDDA), FPDA will be facilitating trainings and assistance to the locals to grow, produce and commercialised these food crops.

This will be executed under the ‘Market for Village Farmers’ (MVF) project worth K127 million (US$38 m).

The partnership, in conjunction with the PNG Government was signed on June 5^th in Port Moresby.

According to CEFI farmers find challenging the transition from semi-subsistence farming to a market-oriented agriculture business.

And with limited financial services and products and poor money management skills, it can be overwhelming for farmers to sustain and grow their business.

Early this month Goilala MP William Samb visited his people with tools, which were bought with funding under the District’s Services Improvement Program, to assist them.

The K43,000 worth of agriculture tools were flown into Kosipe Village and distributed among the four main clans.

Two-hundred-and-twenty-two Tramontina knives, 220 spades, 68 hoe heads and 117 axe heads were shared.

They were to help with the English potato project; an initiative of Samb, with knowledge and skills support from the Fresh Produce Development Agency.

The signing of K82 million (US$25.5m) loan from the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) on Thursday, August 23, was a significant achievement.

The fund, obtained through the Agriculture Department, will be implemented by FPDA to address market chain to improve and enhance rural farmers and aggregates to access market in a modernised environment.

In thanking IFAD for their assistance, the Deputy Prime Minister said the funding will create great opportunities and initiatives in the agriculture sector, which has always been the country’s backbone.

Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) supply chain manager, Noel Kuman, said farmers are facing challenges in bringing their produce to the markets because of poor infrastructure and other basic amenities. 

Kuman stated that farmers in the country can and will always supply quality produce if the government puts more focus in fixing and maintaining infrastructure like roads and other basic services.

Kuman further reiterated that the biggest impediment for the farmers as well was the high cost of freight imposed by the government.

District Administrator Lindsay Alesana made these remarks at the Naura Model Farm, outside Alotau town, on Wednesday.

During the launching of three model farms initiated by Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) in Alotau, Alesana announced that Alotau district will sign a memorandum of understanding with FPDA so they can work in partnership to assist local farmers in the food and horticulture industry.

He said the district wants to capture the work of FPDA in its Five-Year Development Plan, so as partners they can roll it out to the rural farmers.