Demonstration farm helps develop farmer skills

Farming

By Urshula Jim
The Taiwan Trade Mission (TTM) to Papua New Guinea (PNG), under the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) had cultivated several crops.
The crops are grown at the demonstration farm at the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) by the TTM.
Vegetables, garden produce and fruits are grown at the demonstration farm outside Port Moresby.
Horticulture specialist of the TTM, Vincent Chian.Yih Chiou said the purpose of growing the crops at the demonstration farm was to show the farmers who were interested to know more about growing crops and to show them the standard methods to inspire the farmers hence developing their own skills.
“When they get skills here, they go back home and develop their farming methods,” Chiou said.
One of the vegetables grown at the demonstration farm was Okra.
Okra is a vegetable, also known as ladies’ fingers. Okra is related to such species as cotton, cocoa and hibiscus.
It is a good source of minerals, vitamins, and fiber.
According to the Chiou, okra needs more water to grow well and for better quality.
The NPK fertilizers were used to grow Okras at the farm. Chiou said NPK is a complex fertilizer mixed with Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potash.
He said Okra is rich in vitamins and Minerals. Vitamins A and B and minerals such as iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, etc.
Okra is available in two varieties, green and red, they carry the same flavor but differs only in color.
The soft leaves can be included in salads and cooked. The pods can be cooked, eaten raw or included in salads as well.
Apart from growing Okras, snake beans and eggplants are grown.
Chiou said watermelon projects are also expected