Low prices hit onion farmers in Chimbu

By HANNAH NERO
BULB onion farmers are experiencing low prices due to looting of the City Pharmacy-owned supermarkets during the June 10 civil unrest.
Toppy Sundu, a bulb onion farmer in Gembogl said bulb onion farming used to be the main source of income for families in Kundiawa-Gembogl to pay school fees and health expenses.
“We plant and sell onions because it is one cash crop that can grow and yield well in the cold mountainous slopes of Gembogl,” he said.
“We try to bring as many bags as we can down to the road for transportation to markets. The cost of logistics eats into our projected profit.”
He said on good days, a farmer received good prices from arranged buyers such as CPL’s Stop and Stop supermarkets.
“Otherwise, all the vegetables are sold to customers on low prices,” he said.
He urged leaders to revive the agriculture cold chain supply of Agro-Tech Produce Limited in Port Moresby. It was owned by the farmers of Kundiawa Gembogl.
“Growing bulb onions in Gembogl is not easy. We walk up mountains and cross rivers to carry onions to the road,” he said.