Farmer: Jimi can grow cocoa, vanilla

Business
Members of the Jimi women and youth in agriculture association displaying their products during Prime Minister James Marape’s visit to Jiwaka last week. – Nationalpics by JINA AMBA

By JINA AMBA
JIMI farmer Samson Tun believes that the district in Jiwaka can produce cocoa, vanilla, rice and copra if more attention is given to these income-generating crops.
Tun is a member of the Jimi women and youth in agriculture association responsible for the cocoa nursery, rice seed distribution and peanut seed production.
The association is yet to be registered.

Michael Mundi from Jiwaka explaining what he does to Usino/Bundi MP Jimmy Uguro last week.
National Planning and Monitoring Minister Rainbo Paita (right) and Defence Minister Saki Soloma looking at Mt Siwi herbs.

They are from Kosap in Upper Jimi.
Tun said the association was focused on the cocoa nursery and supplying them to farmers.
It has already supplied 30,000 since they started the project in 2016.
Other crops grown in Jimi are coconut, betel nut, rice and vanilla.
Tun said the climate was also good for rice, coconut, betel nut and vanilla.
The association recently received a rice mill from the National Agriculture Research Institute in Lae.

Honey farmers in Jiwaka displaying their products last week.

The farmers are now milling rice to sell to villagers.
Association members displayed the products when Prime Minister James Marape visited Jiwaka last week.
Marape and other cabinet ministers saw for themselves what the association members were producing.
Janet Tap has been selling products that she makes such as oil, soap and spices from plants she grows at her home in Waraka, Jiwaka.
Tap said Marape and his delegation tasted some of the food on display.
She uses turmeric, red pandanus, moringa, noni, ginger, garlic and onion to make soap, oil and spices.