Farmers plan May flower show

 By JOE IVAHARIA

PNG Cut Flowers Association will hold its annual flower show in May at the Moresby Arts Theatre in Waigani, National Capital District. 

Organisers hoped the show would attract florists from around the country to participate and showcase their plants and flowers.

The effort by the association and the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) would provide the opportunity for local florists to showcase their skills and promote the industry.

Association president Mary Saun said the flower show would feature floral displays such as orchids.

“Flowers, when matured, promoted and developed in a commercial way, can bring in wealth.

“The PNG Cut Flowers Association was established as an initiative by farmers interested in growing flowers to promote and develop the floriculture industry in PNG,” she said. 

The association was incorporated in 2009 and has 29 financial members from East and West New Britain, Eastern Highlands, Milne Bay, NCD, Central, East Sepik, Manus, Western and Morobe.

The association has conducted various training programmes in conjunction with DAL’s women in agriculture development unit.

It had also staged provincial flower shows in Kiunga (2008), NCD (2009-12) and Kimbe (2011). 

This year’s (2013) show will be its fifth. 

Saun urged interested farmers from NCD and Central to attend a meeting on April 17 at the NCDC Lagatoi Haus at 10am to discuss the forthcoming flower show.

She added that various training programmes would be conducted for interested farmers with the first scheduled for April 3-5 at the Sione Kami Memorial church grounds and the second on May 20-24 at the same venue.

For more information, you can contact Saun on 7689 4716 / 7266 6389 or Lyn Lantaca on 7266 4266.