Province planting potatoes as cash crop

The National Business

THE Southern Highlands government has introduced potato farming to the people of Nipa-Kutubu, Kagua-Erave and parts of Mendi-Munihu and Ialibu-Pangia.
Governor William Powi recently allocated K10 million to support the farming of potatoes and to use the Innovative Agro Industry’s (IAI) Pangia chips factory currently buying locally-grown potatoes.
Department of Agriculture and Livestock adviser for the province Kenneth Kuim said he was pleased to see the interest by locals in potato farming.

Seed inspector from FPDA Akia Aira demonstrating planting of potatoes.

The Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) was in the province to teach how to plant potato and supply materials to farmers.
The FPDA team visited five sites in the Poroma basin of Nipa-Kutubu and carried out demonstrations at three of the sites.
However, the interest demonstrated by villagers to grow potatoes was overwhelming that the FPDA officers plan to return with planting materials.
Solomon Ramu representing FPDA said the entire Nipa-Kutubu electorate where Poroma LLG was part of had never tried potato as a cash crop.