Farmers in ENB urged to introduce new crops

East New Britain farmers have been urged to introduce new crops to develop the economy through value adding.
Primary industry adviser Blaise Magaga said project considerations were crop soil suitability and altitude, land use availability, food security, stock-feed availability and chemical usage.
Magaga explained that the industry was ensuring a constant supply of quality produce to meet demand, establishing and identifying marketing and facilities, pickup and delivery to marketing facilities, strategic alliances, offices commitments, logistics, ward profiling and leadership at ward level.
Magaga urged ward member and local level government managers to create a network with stakeholder such as the Cocoa Board of PNG, Kokonas Indastri Korporesen, fresh produce and market authorities so that they provide service to the people.
“While we try to diversify to new crops, we need to develop our crops because once the new crops come, they have their own agronomical technical problems.”
Magaga urged the division of primary industry officers to go out to farmers.
“While we are talking about the point of delivery, we should try to help our people,” he said.
Magaga said the province had more than enough agriculture stakeholders but it was up to the leaders and the people to consult them.
“Do not sit and wait for service to come to you,”Magaga said.