Locals urge government to register land for growing rice

THE people of Rangiampum in the Umi-Atzera local level government of Markham, Morobe, want the Markham valley to be the food bowl of the province.
Interim chairman of Chingwam Rice Growers Cooperative Society Amos Jeffrey said this could be achieved if rice was grown in the area.
“Currently, we are in partnership with Trukai Industries, where we provide our land and they grow the Trukai 3 variety for the locally made Trukai Hamamas Rice brand,” he said.
“There were no economic activities in the area. The rice farm has helped us to meet our basic needs such as school fees and store goods.”
The cooperative is made up of villagers in Rangiampum.
Some people in surrounding areas have become interested in growing rice. The Sasanuai-raf clan owns the Chingitz, Wamanga and Watung land with around 3,000 hectares.
There are more than 500 members with more than 300 growing rice.
Jeffrey said there was a lack of support from the Government to have locals register their land groups.
“We know that it is a government policy to register our land before we allow it for development purposes.
“But the process is too slow,” he said.
“The Government has also not been helpful in supporting us with incentives and opportunities for economic participation. It is good that we have Trukai on board.”
He urged the government to support the partnership because the Markham farm project was helping to reduce imports.