rice farming

Rice farming gains traction in ENB

The provincial food crops program officer with the Division of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), Shilla Sato said Kokopo is leading in production with 25 hectares of rice farms within the rural wards of Marambu and Ganai and other neighbouring wards of Bitapaka LLG.

Melkoi LLG in Pomio is the second largest producer together with Sinivit LLG, also in the Pomio District.

MOU to look into existing dark spots in rice cultivation

  The brown plant hopper is a sucking insect that under heavy infestations can cause the wilting and complete drying of rice plants.

Agriculture Secretary Dr. Sergie Bang pointed out areas that will need further research and study.

“Two important areas of constraints, one is the insect pest called the ‘Brown Planthopper’ which can be really serious. It can affect varieties of rice, so we need to look at rice that is tolerant against the Brown Planthopper.

“The other is the drought conditions in PNG and it requires for us to get rice that is drought tolerant.” 

Tapping into the rice industry

  A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed yesterday in Port Moresby, for scientific and technical collaboration to promote and disseminate high yielding, climate smart and healthier rice varieties.

Agriculture Minister John Boito emphasized on the importance of rice production agreements becoming a reality during last night’s signing ceremony.

Minister Boito spoke of the significant move towards ensuring the rice industry does not echo the unfulfilled promises of the past.

Investors pursue rice farming

This week Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru received one of the first groups of investors, the Number one Filipino Rice Farmer, Danilo Bolos and accompanied his delegates of technical people to parts of Kairuku district to pursue rice-farming prospects. 

On Wednesday 25 January, the team of Members of Parliament including Richard Maru, Vice Minister Kessy Sawang and Member for Kairuku, Peter Isoaimo, visited possible rice farming land in Kairuku district. 

Gabadi suitable for rice farm: Investors

The investors arrived in the country this week to discuss ways and possibilities for advancing rice farming in the country. 

They want to establish an 800-hectare estate rice model farm and train and support local village out grower farmers under family owned or rice-cooperative farmers from Brown River to Vanapa and to Gabadi all the way to Bereina.

The Filipino investors’ plan for this Rice Nucleus Estate Model Farm that aims to set up rice demonstration blocks, a rice processing plant and farmer training facilities for out growers. 

Pilot rice project deal signed with Philippines

Visiting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who arrived early on the morning of November 16th, was scheduled to visit the farm yesterday afternoon and also sign an MoU with the PNG Government and the Pacific Adventist University. However, he was unable to attend as Prime Minister Peter O'Neill could not make it as well.

The 25-hectare project was initiated in January this year. Land was cleared in July and 19 Filipino farmers commenced planting in September. The first harvest is expected in December.

The pilot project has four species of rice planted.