Jiwaka Development Corporation

Jiwaka Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Paul Tumun said the Jiwaka Produce Minj Buying Point building is not to interfere with existing businesses, but to venture into new businesses.

He said under its policy the JDC has forged the relationship with the Christian Leaders College to roll out agricultural projects like the rice project and they are negotiating with other customers as well.

Jiwaka Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Paul Tumun said the Jiwaka Produce Minj Buying Point building is not to interfere with existing businesses, but to venture into new businesses.

He said under its policy the JDC has forged the relationship with the Christian Leaders College to roll out agricultural projects like the rice project and they are negotiating with other customers as well.

Governor for Jiwaka, Dr. William Tongamp, opened the facility set up jointly by the Innovative Agro Industries and the provincial government through its development arm last week Thursday 16 December.

“We set up the selling point in Minj, where the farmers can come to us, sell the produce here and it enters the cold chain so that we can preserve. Right now we are using the refrigerator containers, it will be in a cold chain until it reaches the supermarket in Port Moresby and then we will be compete with the import on prices,” Agro Innovative CEO and Chairman, Ilan Weiss said.

Assistant President, Kevin Hehirai said this when opening the Jiwaka Produce Minj Buying Point recently.

He said many social issues are caused by the youths because they don’t have money in their pockets so they get involved in petty crime and other criminal activities.

Mr Hehirai said the experience of the 300 members of Jiwaka Youth in Agriculture is that money is in agriculture when they are tilling the land, planting their own crops, harvesting and selling at local markets.

The partners established a buying point in Minj where citrus fruits such as lemons, lime, oranges and tangerines from Jiwaka citrus farmers are sold and bought. From the buying point, the citrus fruits enter a cold chain and are delivered to the urban markets in Lae and Port Moresby.

This creates market access to Jiwaka farmers and also provides the urban consumers with quality citrus at affordable prices, which are otherwise imported from overseas and sold at high prices.  

The naming rights tussle between Giru Construction and Jiwaka Development Corporation saw Giru withdraw from Waghi Tumbe.

Since being a first time sponsor last year, Giru have noted tremendous achievements during their short stint.

Giru Construction owner Fred Koldop said his dream was to help young, passionate players achieve their dreams, and this has been realised.