Project helps students boost crop farming

STUDENTS and members of the parish at Mungulep in Porgera, Enga, recently held an Agriculture Field Day to display their first harvest, assisted by the Porgera Joint Venture.
Under the PJV food security programme, they were able to acquire improved crop farming skills through the Agrikids programme, which targeted school children.
PJV executive managing director Anthony Esplin said the company was happy to support the people in reviving skills in agriculture, particularly through agriculture-oriented projects.
“I spent most of my career working in developing countries around the world, and I’m a very great believer in the power of mining companies doing good in communities where we operate.
“Helping to re-establish the agricultural skills that have been in this area for thousands of years is definitely a worthy project, which we’re proud to support.”
The field day on Oct 28 was to mark the first harvest of food crops since June.
Students of Yomondak Elementary School and members of the Catholic parish participated in the Agrikids programme.
Teacher Cathy Akus thanked PJV for training students, teachers and parents. “Through the training we’ve learnt new skills. I hope the students and the community have learnt more on farming and I hope they will implement what they have learnt from the company.”