Farmer faces challenges in accessing better markets

PINEAPPLE season in the Highlands region is usually from October to March which is pretty much the time the best fruits are harvested in most tropical countries.
The Bena area in Ungai-Bena, Eastern Highlands, is known for the fruit.
Among many growers is Abel Sekane, from Sogomi village in the Lower Bena local level government area.
He has half a hectare in pineapples.
The one problem Sekena faces is that too many of the fruits ripen at the same time in his garden and he is not able to take all to the market at once.
“There are too many, some are eaten by rats in the garden, we are only able to bring out only a few to the market,” he said.
Transporting bags of pineapples to sell at the Goroka Main Market is another headache for him as he fetches only K5 to K8 per bag, depending on the size.
In Port Moresby supermarkets, they are going for aboutK12 each.
“The higher weight of the bag, the higher the cost to transport them to the market,” Sekena said.
He said at the market vendors sorted and sold them according to sizes.
“I am selling the small ones for K1, the large ones go for K6-K7,” he said. Sekane believes the government can find better markets for his fruit. “We are working hard in the garden to produce in huge mass but due to lack of market we are discouraged,” he said.
“We need proper markets so our produce is not wasted,” he said.