Factory benefits farmers

By CLARISSA MOI
More than 1,000 farmers in the Highlands are benefitting from supplying potatoes to the Highlands Kuk chips factory in Southern Highlands.
Innovative Agro Industry (IAI) PNG chairman Ilan Weiss told The National that the factory had received more than 300,000kg of potatoes from farmers in highlands provinces.
The farmers are from Southern Highlands, Enga, Western Highlands, Jiwaka and Chimbu.
They plan to include Eastern Highlands soon.
“In Enga, over K3 million has been paid to farmers who have turned from subsistence farming to cash-cropping, bringing about peace and prosperity to the region plagued with years of tribal fights such as in Sirunki,” he said.
The Highlands Kuk chips is a 50:50 partnership between the Southern Highlands government and the agri-business developer IAI.
Weiss said full production required around 80 tonnes of potatoes a week to produce 40 tonnes of chips.
“The frozen chips are well received by the PNG consumer,” he said.
“The majority of the feedbacks received compliment the product on its taste and quality.
“We are rapidly increasing production to meet the demand.
“Highlands Kuk produces chips that are of excellent quality.
“Potato is grown in organic soil and sourced from Highland farmers.”
They plan to explore more products derived from taro and kaukau.
“The project receives positive feedbacks of support from the public and private sectors,” Weiss said.