Minister impressed with progress of Sepik Plains project

NATIONAL Planning and Monitoring Department secretary Koney Samuel has welcomed the progress and development of the Sepik Chicken, Grain and Cocoa Innovation project on the Sepik Plains after a tour of the facility last week. He said the Government would support the project, including the construction of roads into the plains. Samuel was impressed with development of the chicken houses, egg hatchery, slaughter house and storage facility. Samuel praised the way the project has developed, producing eggs and poultry for the local market under the Sepik Fresh label. “This project has the potential to go a long way,” he said.  “Some of the key policy focus of the Government like growing the economy is all happening here. The project is a K100 million investment with the State as the major shareholder through the Kumul Consolidated Holdings Ltd, managed by the Innovative Agriculture Holdings.  Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru thanked Samuel and his team for visiting the project site.  Maru said the project planned to establishg a cocoa-drying facility to improve the quality of cocoa exports. Adviser Dr Deane Woruba said soil in the Sepik Plains was quite acidic. “So it is challenging to grow crops. “They are investigating ways to transform the soil to optimum conditions for farming.
“Their success will be revolutionary as such technology will be integral in transforming the agricultural potential of the Sepik Plains.”