Governor hails Buhalu taro, banana project

 MOROBE Governor Kelly Naru launched the Buhalu taro and banana production and mkarketing pilot project involving at least 120 farmers at Buhalu village in the Labuta local level government area of Nawaeb, Morobe last Friday.

He said the project to help farmers was like picking up lost opportunities that should had been brought about long time ago although it was never too late to start.

Naru said after 40 years of independence, the  Labuta people came to realise that the future generation, and welfar and livelihood in the village, were so important to care about by coming up with a sustainable project. 

He said the concept was the dream of the people and the Government but required much work to see the project become reality. 

“I recognise the effort of you people of Buhalu and Bukawa as a whole to embrace the change to allow the project in with the support of other services put in place by the Government,” Naru said.

“This project will not only sustain you in the present time but also enhance you into the future and  it will help your children and their future generations. 

“I am happy that the provincial government took notice of this initiative and has put in the money.”

He said K1 million was pumped into the project to get it off the ground with another half a million to be rolled out. 

“This project is a first of its kind not only in Bukawa and Morobe province but in the country and the Government will help you put your taro in the shelves of the supermarkets in Lae, Port Moresby, Mt Hagen and  overseas,” Naru said.

Initiator of the project, Fungkec Samana, said the first planting in January by 61 farmers covered 6.6 hectares.