Fund scientists with proven track records

Letters

THIS week, I had the opportunity to meet with Christopher Tep Yara, an agricultural scientist, practitioner and innovative founder of ‘Grow Hariap’ brand of liquid-based fertiliser in PNG.
Christopher, my schoolmate and dormitory captain back in Mt Hagen High School today has innovated this product that’s new in the world market.
Hailing from Baisu, home to the Penambe tribe, Yara moved from Mt Hagen High School to Vudal Agricultural College in the late 1980s and since then worked in the field of agriculture for the last 30 years.
Yara invented the liquid-based fertiliser and manufactures them locally and is currently selling to many farmers.
The fertilisier has proven to be excellent in increasing yield in production.
Under the Government’s concept of allocating money to scientific research and innovations, innovative scientists such as Yara can be supported to be more innovative.
Taking back PNG means funding scientists with proven track record of developing new and innovative ideas into tangible products that can change the country.
Funding allocated to paper-based unproven scientists forming two-month old companies that are 78 per cent owned by a foreigner should be strongly discouraged in Niugini Biomed Ltd.
Limited government funds should go to those with proven scientific research and development background with breakthrough innovations should be funded through the new concept of the national scientific research and innovations grant scheme/authority.
Congratulations to Yara for this breakthrough in ‘Grow Hariap’ fertiliser which is now protected by copyright/ patent laws by the Investment Promotion Authority.
Brian Bell group of companies has taken ‘Grow Hariap’ fertiliser on board and have agreed with Yara to sell in their shops.
That’s a vote of confidence in this new innovation by a practitioner and scientist.
I am sure many agricultural companies, plantations and farmers nationwide are keen on using this fertiliser.
The Department of Agriculture and Livestock is proud of the achievements of their field scientist and so are his family and co-workers.

Samson Komati