MP gives K160,000 for potato farmers’ training

KANDEP MP Alfred Manase has provided K160,000 for training on potato farming in his district.
He told The National that about one third of the landmass was water logged and there was no major agricultural activity in Kandep.
“People grow sweet potato and vegetables for consumption and the surplus is sold at local markets,” he said.
“Potato farming is one business in the farming industry which many districts in the Highlands have ventured into and I want my people to farm potato as well.”
Manase said the potato factory in Pangia in Southern Highlands established by its provincial government and Israeli Innovative Agro Industry was close to Kandep and farmers could have easy access to sell their produce.
Manase said the Kandep development authority would strive to support small and medium enterprises and give priority to potato farming in the district.
“Potato farming is a profitable business and the district authority will do its best to support local farmers,” he said.
“For farmers to harvest quality potatoes, they need training and support from to supply seedlings and fertilisers.”
Mathew Lale, who coordinates the authority’s projects, said people were ready to farm potatoes and were grateful for the initiative taken to train them.
He said the district authority was upgrading feeder roads making it easy for farmers to travel to attend the training.
“In the past, there were no trade stores at road sides in the district due to law and order issues but today there are dozens of them as a result of the authority’s commitment to support the work of police and peace and good order committees,” he said.