Onion farmers hail solar dryer project as game changer

RURAL horticultural farmers have hailed the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) bulb onion solar dryer project a game changer.
The benefiting farmers and members of the community thanked the British American Tobacco (BAT) for sponsoring the construction of the solar dryers and the PNG University of Technology Department of Applied Sciences for designing the concept of the curing facility.
Recipient lead farmer Max Maine and his 40 benefiting contact farmers at Kilip village in Pepik, Jiwaka were pleased as the solar dryer would improve the quality of their produce in preparation for market.
“The design is just perfect, reliable and convenient and will help us to cure onions within a few days and have it ready to take it out to the markets,” he said.
“This is a significant milestone for bulb onion farmers in the country,” Maine said.
“We’re looking forward to make the best use out of it.” Maine aims to become a fulltime bulb onion farmer and continue to supply to Hilans Fres in Mt Hagen.