MP: Return to land

The National National
A common sight in almost every home in Kundiawa-Gembogl, Chimbu. Gardens near homes where fresh greens, potato, onion and other vegetables are grown for families to sell to earn an income. – Nationalpics by MIRIAM ZARRIGA

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE fertile land Papua New Guinea has in abundance can see money in all pockets of the farmers, says Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon.
Speaking at the launch of the first PNG cold chain supply in Kundiawa-Gembogl, Chimbu, this
week, Simon told people to return and look after their land as agriculture was the backbone of the country.
The supply of fresh produce is expected to see the farmers in the district able to have a market that will include the other 21 provinces.
According to local MP William Onglo, the district would facilitate fresh produce transported to Lae, Morobe, in a refrigerated truck.

Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon addressing a crowd at Goglme Station in Kundiawa-Gembogl on Tuesday afternoon.

From Lae (kept in cold storage) it would be sent to Port Moresby, directly to the district’s business arm Agro-Tech yard at 8-Mile and distributed to 21 refrigerated containers.
It would then be moved out into the provinces through suppliers.
Gazelle MP Jelta Wong, told the crowd that his district had signed an agreement with Kundiawa-Gembogl to be the first to receive produce and, in exchange, Gazelle would provide fish and other seafood to the businesses in the district.
“The district is ready, we will have a warehouse which will get 20 to 30 refrigerated systems, back-up power, four staff houses and the business set-up worth K15 million,” Onglo said.

Kundiawa-Gembogl MP William Onglo speaking to the crowd about the importance of agriculture in Papua New Guinea and why it is always emphasised by the Government.

The Government, through Simon, had wanted to present a cheque for K500,000, however, Simon said he did not want to as he wanted the district to receive more.
“I will return with more to support the work this district is doing,” he said.
Simon said that agriculture deserved to receive more than the usual K2-K3 per kilo of produce (onion, greens and potato).
“I will ensure that every farmer in the country and this district start receiving K5 and above per kilo for their fresh produce,” he said.

From left: Fresh Produce Development Agency managing director Mark Worinu, Agriculture and Livestock secretary Daniel Kombuk and Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon conversing after the launch of the Kundiawa-Gembogl cold chain supply.

“Agriculture is tough in Papua New Guinea because of the mountains and the accessibility to the gardens by each family.
“As a Government, this story being told by the district is for the country. We are sending
money outside the country, we need to support the local farmers and save money within the country.”
Ajay Patel, CPL Group’s special projects manager, was also in the province for the launch, and told the people to make their gardens sustainable and long-term.
“This is a first time we have been invited by a MP to a district,” he said.
“Every other time we have gone by ourselves to the districts, met the people and made it in our own way.

One of the refrigerated trucks that will be used to transport fresh produce in a cool container to Lae, Morobe, to be shipped to Port Moresby.

“We have got the cold chain to get the quality right when it gets down to Port Moresby.
“I pay you money for the produce, you need to go out and grow and make your garden sustainable and long term.
“Consistently supply every two weeks, but let’s start slowly, let’s start once a month, then after a few months, we get better and we go every two weeks and then every week, keep growing and meeting the volume of produce needed till everyone is growing as much as they can.”