Resource centre set up in village to help farmers

THE Hege community development cooperative in the Unggai-Bena, Eastern Highlands, opened its new resource centre and cooperative society last Thursday at Nagamito village.
Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) chief operations officer Steven Tumae said hard work would bring positive changes to any individual, group and community.
“Being in such a cooperative group will enable you to seek assistance whether it be in the form of funding, materials or training from the Government or development partners,” he said.
“The CIC will only work with such organised groups.
“The current ratio of one extension officer to 20,000 farmers, which makes it difficult to serve individual farmers but when you are in such a group, we will be able to reach out to you.”
MP Benny Allen encouraged the members and community to leave behind differences and help to nurture the group going forward.
He said after 20 years of tribal fights and mediation in the district, it was now prospering.
“Cooperative groups will bring many good things to the community,” he said.
“The future of this group depends on every community member in Nagamito.
“You must all work together so that the changes that will take place here will benefit everyone.”
Allen plans to help youths in the community surrender guns and turn away from drugs and alcohol.
The group was formed in 2017 with 200 members.
During the launch, it was recorded that membership had increased to more than 400.