New association gives food farmers voice in city

By Lemach Lavari
A GROUP of fresh food farmers in Port Moresby have formed an association which will propose to the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) to provide a place for them to market.
They have been selling their produce at a road side market along the Somare Circuit, also known as the Waigani Back Road, for more than 20 years.
The association is called the Apo Market Fresh Produce as most of the members are originally from Eastern Highlands.
Chairman Hans Fima said they formed the association to represent them because they had been frequently removed by police.
He said they were instructed to move because the market was an informal set-up located along the road to the APEC Haus.
Fima said the association hoped the NCDC would assist them in providing proper market facilities.
He said Governor Powes Parkop launched the association last year and pledged K20,000 to help in its management.
Fima said once they received the money, they would buy mobile stalls for the 75 members.
“The stalls will give the market a modern look,” he said.
“They will be for temporary use until the NCDC builds proper infrastructure. Our market is buai-free and we do not allow the sale of manufactured goods. We want our customers to enjoy the fresh produce we grow and the food cooked over fire such as corns and yams.”
Fima said the new market facilities should make the area more attractive especially to international visitors coming to Apec.
NCDC market division planning supervisor Rex Kuman said they were aware of the association.
“The governor has committed to help the association. We plan to assist them and provide proper infrastructure for the market in March,” he said.