By SENIORL ANZU
THE National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) and a Malaysian sago investor, Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) of the Sarawak government, are set to facilitate the commercialisation of sago.
Part of the tie-up in developing the local sago industry was the setting up of the first processing mill in Angoram, East Sepik province, starting next year.
The project is to start in the third quarter of next year with an initial investment of K40 million and this may go up to K1 billion, according to LCDA general manager Abdullah Chek Sahamat.
LCDA had proposed 30% of profits to resource owner’s trust fund, 30% as dividends to PNG Government and 40% to LCDA.
NARI scientist Joe Waramboi said the institute would join forces in a number of areas which include sago variety identification, germplasm collection and starch quality analysis.
Other key partners are the Papua New Guinea Government, Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), PNG University of Technology, University of PNG, resource owners and local authorities.
Mr Waramboi said recent visits and consultations with stakeholders and LCDA representatives look positive and NARI was keen to participate.
He said NARI would maintain the germplasm on station and put in place a plantation-type research plot for agronomy and starch quality.
Scientists are also willing to foster a joint research and development project with LCDA to address other issues in helping sago farmers and stakeholders in PNG.