Agro potential seen in Mekeo hinterlands to supply Port Moresby markets

THE Mekeo hinterlands of Central has potential in agriculture to supply markets in Port Moresby, an official says.
Prime Minister James Marape recently told Agriculture and Livestock secretary Daniel Kombuk to send a team of agriculture specialists to Mekeo for the proposed Olibe project.
Olibe is a small helmet on the bank of the Akaifu River that runs through Mekeo.
Coordinator Joseph Nao, the livestock adviser for provincial and industry support services in Southern said despite the remoteness of the area, the people’s enthusiasm for development was overwhelming.
“Crops and animals doing well in the area include banana, taro, cassava, sugarcane, yam and a great variety of introduced and local vegetables and fruits, coconut and spices such as ginger and chilies,” he said.
“It definitely has the potential of flooding markets in Port Moresby with food supply.”
Nao said economic produce included coconut, cocoa and coffee, vanilla, rice, teak trees, poultry, goats, cattle and fresh water fish.
“Eco-tourism has high potential in the area as people want to showcase their unique cultures and beautiful bio-diversity that surrounds the entire hinterlands.”