Farmer gets help to grow rice from leading supplier

A RICE farmer has been given a village sustainability kit under the Trukai smart farmer programme for his initiative to incorporate best farming practices in his village.
Noah Taugaloidi of Wamira village in Milne Bay received the kit for demonstrating Trukai Industries’ sustainable agriculture practices.
Chief executive officer Alan Preston said Trukai Industries, through its small-holder rice development programme, not only provided the kit but also offered technical expertise and paddy market access.
The rice farming kit is given to farmers to encourage them to develop rice farming ventures.
Trukai Industries has been giving out the kits since 2011.
The kit has a solar rice mill kit, power tiller, manual seeders, knapsacks, sickles and rice seedlings.
He said the programme planned to support food security by maximising rice production.
“It also helps to equip small holder rice farmers as they transition into semi commercial farmers then into commercial rice farmers,” Preston said.
“Wamira village traditionally has an irrigated gardening technique to grow taro. The villagers now have an advantage to grow rice. The kit is an added bonus to assist them with their rice growing.”
Trukai Industries rice development manager Aina Davis said to become a model farmer under the programme, one needed to manage a hectare or more of rice, and display expertise and commitment to rice cultivation.
“Farmers must not only excel in their own fields but also be influential figures in their communities, inspiring and guiding people to adopt best practices,” Davis said.
Taugaloidi said the kit “has been a long time coming”.
“I know that the smart farmer programme is a game changer in the agriculture industry as it gives knowledge to people. The kit and the knowledge I have gained will greatly impact my community.”