First commercial galip nuts get on the shelves

By ELIZABETH VUVU
The commercial sale of galip nuts has started in the country, with production and packaging in East New Britain.
This followed a launch in Kokopo on Friday.
National Agricultural Research Institute (Nari) deputy-director Dr Akknapally Ramakrishna said it had been two decades of research, hard work and partnership between Nari Kerevat, Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR), University of Adelaide and University of Sunshine Coast.
He said there were many players contributed towards the project right from field-work level to the scientist level and management.
He said the indigenous galip nut, which was just a backyard tree, had reached a stage where it was now a commercial product.
“There is still a lot to achieve,” Ramakrishna said.
“It is not just about research.
“There must be tangible outcomes to put money into the pockets of people, and so galip should become the significant crop of PNG.”
Galip nuts are being sold in three different flavours – natural, peeled and roasted. They are on the market in East New Britain and will soon be on the shelves in other centres.
ACIAR regional manager for PNG and Pacific Florence Rahiria said they had helped Nari Kerevat to develop in the research and manufacture of galip nuts as a commercial product.
She said ACIAR was funding research to help the processing efficiency and market development.
Rahiria said ACIAR worked with NARI and research partners from the universities of Sunshine Coast and Adelaide in Australia to develop the product.