Launch allows province to build agriculture centre

MORE than 1,500 hectares of land at the Wawin Agriculture and Livestock Station in Morobe will be used as a national agricultural park.
The launch of the new Wawin National Agriculture Park at Wawin Agriculture Station in Markham on Wednesday paved the way for developers and investors to build agriculture centres, facilities and bring machines into the province for agriculture activities, according to Morobe administrator Bart Ipambonj.
He challenged landowners and villagers to work with the government and investors to ensure their land was used for agriculture development.
“You want services and the government is bringing this project into your area now,” Ipambonj said.
“It is up to you to facilitate these projects on your land and work with us.
“Do not dispute among yourself over the land because land disputes only hinders government service implementation.
“The land will be here, but you and I will be gone tomorrow, so think about your children and their children.”
Singaporean molecular biologist Dr Chia Fatt, who led a delegation of investors said healthy food was one of the most important things in agriculture.
“Whether you are a developing country or developed third world country, food is always on the minds of everyone,” Fatt said.
“Healthy food that is safe from bacteria and diseases is good for everyone’s health and Papua New Guinea, especially Morobe’s Wawin (Markham valley) can produce good crops that can be exported to Singapore and other countries.
“Wawin can be the agriculture and technology centre for PNG. It can also be a commerce centre when we work together.”