Enga growing strawberries for domestic market

ENGA is now commercially growing strawberries for the domestic market particularly Port Moresby from its Sirunki facility.
This followed a partnership the provincial government had with agribusiness firm Innovative Agro Industry PNG Ltd (IAI PNG Ltd).
The establishment of the Agro Industrial Centre (AIC) in Sirunki, Enga, has sparked great interest from local communities to farm their own land as out-growers and working on the farm.
The strawberries are grown on the farm by women from the local Sirunki community, who have been living off the land all their lives.
Enga deputy administrator, Sandis Tsaka said: “It’s no small achievement to grow high-quality strawberries that are a great size, shape, have a great aroma and taste fantastic. Our local community in Sirunki have an intrinsic understanding of the land and an incredible amount of enthusiasm for agriculture.
“Local communities are seeing firsthand the potential of agriculture.”
The project is operated under the registered company Enga AIC Ltd and required an investment of K23 million after a two-year feasibility study.
“Local out-growers have been producing potatoes to sell back to the centre since last year, and we commend our partners IAI PNG Ltd for their dedication to delivering diverse agriculture prospects for the people of Enga,” Tsaka said.
The strawberries, potatoes and onions have created opportunities for our people to stay in their communities and earn an income from something they have done their entire lives”.
The farm is expected to supply strawberries to Apec, giving locally grown PNG produce international exposure.