Expert praises PNG’s fertile soil

By NATHAN WOTI
FILIPINO rice investors are planning on a long term development of a rice farming training facility to be built in Gabadi, Kairuku, Central.
Head of Philippines delegation and former agriculture secretary Emmanuel Pinol announced this on Wednesday when visiting the Rigo rice farm in Borea, Rigo.
Pinol said the potential of farming and growing rice in the country was evident with the existing Rigo rice farm, but suggested that a rice farming training center for local farmers would benefit rice investors in a long term.
“We are satisfied with what we are seeing so far,” he said.
“We will prepare our documents and submit it to Minister (for International Trade and Investment) Richard Maru when we want to travel back to the Philippines. This will also include a rice farm training facility to be built in Gabadi.
“This is our long term plan.
“Once the model rice milling project is established, we will look at building a rice farming training centre where we are going to teach local farmers including the youths on how to grow rice, how to use the latest technologies and machines involve in farming rice and other farming areas outside of rice.”
Pinol said the training centre would be a gift to the PNG people if the proposed model rice milling project in Gabadi was approved.
He commended Maru for having the foresight of welcoming the Filipino investors and stated that empowering the locals was a key area that he would ensure the investors looked into.
“I have been involved in community relations when I was in government back in Philippines and I understand what local farmers and landowners need,” he said.
“Capacity building is key to empower local farmers.
“By setting up a training facility, we are hoping that more local farmers can grow rice.
“When we have surplus in production, local and international markets consistency can be met.”