Local veges hailed as top class

By PISAI GUMAR
Fresh vegetables grown by farmers in Wau, Morobe, are as good as those imported from overseas, says NKW Fresh general-manager David Stewart.
The company, through its positive relationship with Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA), is helping to sustain local people whose lives have been impacted by the Hidden Valley mine.
NKW Fresh supplies the Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV) kitchen in Hidden Valley and shops in Lae, with the surplus sold to Vanimo, Lihir, Kokopo, Kimbe, Manus, and Port Moresby. Australia is their next target.
Stewart said he ensures the farmers grew quality vegetables as per the commercial demand.
“By all accounts, we’re getting very good reports from our customers,” he said.
“That shows the success of our plan to get the produce into chillers as fast as we can, pack them and look for markets. Not only is our produce cheaper, it’s packed based on International standards.
“The produce is fresher, packaging is first-class and Consort Shipping is on site.”
Stewart said NKW Fresh has provided sustainable business opportunities to the local people.
He said this was in line with the company’s moral duty to create sustainable income-generating opportunities for the community as the mine shuts down.
“Our farmers are extraordinarily important to us,” Stewart said. “They are our backbone to the business.
“NKW is the middleman with a heart that aspires to make reasonable profits.”
Steward said NKW was running parallel to the extension services FPDA provided on the ground.
It focused on what was being planted and the expected yield, so as to plan logistics and markets.