Institute officials visit to learn about sector

THE International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) visited Papua New Guinea recently to learn more about the nation’s rice industry and how farmers can be assisted to increase production in an environmentally sustainable way.
Dr Jean Balie, head of IRRI’s agri-food policy platform and Dr David Johnson, IRRI representative for South-East Asia, visited PNG with support from the Australian government.
During the visit, they met with the leaders including vice-Minister for Agriculture Henry Ame, Mul-Baiyer MP Koi Trappe and actingSecretary for Agriculture and Livestock Frances Daink to better understand Government priorities and objectives for growing rice across the country.
Balie and Johnson also visited Trukai rice farms in Mul-Baiyer and Erap to see firsthand how rice is being grown to support livelihoods and food security.
Trukai’s Hamamas Rice is the first rice to be grown commercially in Papua New Guinea.
Farmers from Trukai rice farms in Umi and Chingwam discussed with IRRI the latest techniques in growing rice more efficiently and how production can be increased sustainably.
In Mul-Baiyer, the delegation visited Trukai’s 10-hectare pilot rice project which celebrated its first harvest in October 2016.
The International Rice Research Institute is a leading international not-for-profit agricultural research and training organisation that aims to improve livelihoods and nutrition through rice-based agri-food systems. As part of efforts to grow PN’s economy, Australia is supporting the development of ita agriculture sector by connecting different industries with international experts.