Grow apples locally, apple farmers say

 By PISAI GUMAR

TWO apple farmers at Kokoikwa village, Hakwange in Menyamya have requested Morobe Governor Kelly Naru to encourage local apple farming to minimise the import of the fruit from overseas.

Famers Oni Anze and Antonis Guye from Yakwe gave Naru some of the fruits grown on their farms to taste at the Hakwange Primary School.

Anze said the family had been cultivating apples for about 10 years.

“I sell them locally to make a living but decided to go into small-scale production to supply shops in Lae,” he said.

He said Naru’s visit was an opportune time to show their harvest.

“We need the skills and knowledge through trainings, nursery facilities, tools, pest control chemicals and cool storage facility to enhance our cultivation and production.”

The family has more than 1000 trees but had been affected by pests brought by the dry spell.