Farmers call on Enga govt to help them get a fair deal

Business

AN inconsistent and unreliable fresh produce market is forcing many farmers in Enga to look for other income-generating activities that reward them fairly.
Potato farmers in Sirunki, Pilikambi and Yapai in Lagaip district have called on the Enga provicial government and its Israeli development partner, Innovative Agro Industry, to fix a reasonable price and buy their produces on a regular basis.
Petrus Peopokon, of Sirunki, said IAI was not properly equipped to buy all their potatoes.
He said the company sometimes closed its doors, telling the farmers that there was no money to buy their produce.
Peopokon said many farmers made a big loss and their produce was wasted.
He said that their time, money and effort were all wasted.
Strawberry farmer Petrus Aipi, from Meapu village in Pilikambi local level government, said he was among many people who cultivated the crop after seeing its potential but could not sell.
He called on Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas and IAI to explain why that was so.