Rice project progressing well

 By ELIAS LARI

THE Chinese upland rice project at the Ati Agricultural College in Western Highlands is reaching villages and communities.

The rice project started by the governments of China and PNG in 2009 is progressing well.

Last Friday, Chinese rice experts Prof Zhang Booqing, Zhou Shiwei, Cheng Guangxiu, accompanied by college farm manager Gibson Simon and staff Lucas Minimbi went to Dobel, outside Mt Hagen city, to watch The Seed Foundation (TSF) farmers’ field day and awareness on food security.

TSF is a non-government group and members are taking up rice farming to earn a living.

During the field show, rice farmers made their first harvest from seedlings supplied by the college.

The event was organised by the Komkui and Yamka communities at Mopuri village.

Zhang said the people there had to learn the basics of planting and harvesting, which were very important.

Zhang said they could plant rice but it was the technique that would help produce quality and quantity.

“Your land here is very fertile but if you do not have the skills then it won’t do any good.

“We are here are to help you plant and harvest quality rice to help you to cut cost instead of buying it at the store and produce it at home,” he said.