Eastern Highlands onion farmers happy with solar dryer

ONION farmers in Eastern Highlands are happy with the solar dryer facility provided by the Fresh Produce Development Agency to supply onions to the markets.
James Ambio of Nipuka village in Lower Asaro, Daulo district, said “the demand for onions that we dried and cured from the solar dryer has increased”.
“Buyers ask if the onions we bring are from Asaro. When we say yes, they buy off the bags. They differentiate what is quality and what is not.”
Jerry Aviro and fellow farmers are also reaping the benefit of the solar dryer erected at their Keremu village, in Upper Asaro.
“The solar dryer has significantly cut down the curing time from three weeks to three days, preventing rotting when traditional drying and curing techniques are applied.
“I encourage our people at Nipuka, Asaro and Daulo district to start preparing land, buy bulb onion seeds from Brian Bell, Tininga and other seed outlets, and plant.”
At Sogomi in Lower Bena, Kabiufa Secondary in Goroka, and Kamaiufa in Goroka, solar dryer recipients are already venturing into onion production.
FPDA bulb onion programme manager James Aniau and officer Jamie Bobola thanked the British American Tobacco for funding the programme.