Community shows interest in rice farming

Farming

MORE THAN 100 farmers from Wampit village in Huon district Morobe province are working closely with the National Agricultural Research
Institute (NA RI) to grow rice.
This collaboration is part of the new project solar rice mill pilot project in Morobe province.
On February 16, 2018, NA RI researchers met with the local farmers to discuss ways to grow rice.
The NA RI Rice and Grain Research Associate Anton Beko briefly demonstrated the basics on best rice management practices including rice cultivation and weed management.
Beko said the government is spending a lot of money importing rice and local rice production should be encouraged to reduce this economic burden.
NA RI will be working with communities such as Wampit to ensure they grow and produce enough rice to meet their own household demand and sell surplus through market access arrangement with Trukai who is a partner in the project.
The solar rice mill will enable farmers to husk and polish rice as well as harness solar energy to light up homes, community centres, and charge electrical items such as mobile phones.
Local farmers were urged to grow rice as travelling to town to buy rice is a costly exercise.
Beko said NA RI was pleased to work with Wampit community which has ideal conditions for growing rice.
Ebo Gagau a local woman leader in Wampit called on fellow villagers to work closely with NA RI to grow rice.
Gagau said rice consumption in PNG is very high, but it can be addressed by growing rice locally.
She challenged men to support their wives in rice production as the project is looking at engaging all members within a community.
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion is an important component of the project where implementing partners should ensure women and girls are empowered.
Gagau thanked NA RI for coming up with such project which will address food security and gender based violence.
“Gender-based violence happens because there is not enough food in the house. This project is working to ensure this issue is addressed amicably,” she said.
Wampit farmers are looking forward to working with NA RI through the development of rice production.
A rice demonstration plot was ploughed at Wampit Primary School as part of NA RI’s ongoing efforts to train locals on how to grow and process rice.
Wampit village has about 1,400 people, is about 2 and a half hours drive from Lae and has suitable conditions to grow rice varieties such as NR 01 and TCS 10.
The training is part of the solar rice mill project, being piloted in 30 communities of Morobe province.