Naru opens new project

 MUCH have said about Markham Valley and Sepik Plains as food bowls of Papua New Guinea but a new one  is emerging.

Last Friday at Buhalu village in the Labuta local level government area of Nawaeb district, Morobe, Governor Kelly Naru  launched the Buhalu taro and banana production and marketing pilot project.

Initiator of the project, Fungkec Samana, said  work in taro was not new to the area as such activity took place back in the 1980s under the provincial agriculture programme. 

Samana said since she was elected into the provincial executive council as women’s representative, the revival of the programme was pursued.

“We plant the taro and when it is ready to harvest, we start another plot,” Samana said. 

She said with plenty of land available, the villagers’ task was to plant taro.

The operation is into its fifth month.

Samana said the farmers were divided into  four groups, with training programmes put in place for group leaders.

“We’ve already estimated how much will be harvested, giving us the opportunity to look for market to sell the taro. Within five years, this project can sustain itself,”  she said.

“Interest to participate in the project is overwhelming from the villagers but we have started with 200 with 121 plots already plowed while 79 is yet to be plowed. 

“The door is open for those interested but not until these 200 farmers get their feet off the ground.”

Samana said the first planting in January by 61 farmers covered 6.6 hectares and 60 farmers in February covered 6.66 hectares.