New irrigation systems increase sweet potato production

NEW irrigation systems are allowing sweet potato farmers in Papua New Guinea to increase production and improve livelihoods.
The systems provide farmers with a more dependable source of water and allow rural farmers to shift to more commercial-based production.
Sweet potato farmer Rachel Suak Mok from Minj, Jiwaka, was one of the first people to try the new irrigation system in the Highlands under a transformative agriculture development and enterprise development programme (Tadep).
The programme is jointly funded by the PNG-Australia partnership and the Australian centre for international agriculture research (Aciar).
“Previously, it was really difficult for me,” Mok said.
“My garden is up on the mountain and water had to be carried from a creek which is at the bottom of the mountain.
“In the past, especially during the dry season, I have stood by and watched my crops die because I was unable to water my gardens properly.”
The irrigation system comprises a water tank, piping and a water pump.
The system supplies water from a nearby creek, directly to Mok’s sweet potato gardens.
The irrigation systems were delivered as part of a project to commercialise sweet potato in the Highlands under Tadep.
PNG Fresh Produce Development Authority (FPDA) project officer Christian Bugajim said they had set up irrigation systems at several project sites.
“In PNG, we have underestimated the importance of irrigation for commercial farming,” Bugajim said. “But water is crucial to improving production and irrigation should be an important part of any farming system in the country.”
Through the project, PNG’s National Agriculture Research Institute was working with the Queensland department of agriculture and fisheries to produce virus-free sweet potato seeds, which were distributed to farmers by FPDA.
Combined, the new irrigation systems and the virus-free planting material is helping boost productivity.
Aciar research programme manager for horticulture Irene Kernot said the project aimed to support farmers move to market-oriented sweet potato production.
“Increases in sweet potato production and reducing crop failure is a plus for food security in PNG.
“Commercialising sweet potato also creates opportunities for Papua New Guineans to enter into business at different stages along the supply chain,” she said.
The farmers have reported that the supplied clean seeds are producing good quality sweet potato and at a much higher yield.
This has enabled growers to increase sales, including to newer markets such as the supermarket sector in Port Moresby.
The sweet potato project is one of five projects under Tadep – a six-year programme that aims to increase agriculture production.