Scheme to support locals

By GYNNIE KERO
OUTGROWER opportunities for the people of Yangoru-Saussia in East Sepik to engage in poultry projects will be available next month, MP Richard Maru says.
The Innovative Agro Industry (IAI) PNG has developed the foundation for the K30 million modern commercial farming industry in the Sepik plains in Yangoru-Saussia which is nearing completion.
The poultry outgrower scheme is a partnership between IAI PNG, traditional landowners, Yangoru-Saussia, East Sepik and the State, through Kumul Consolidated Holdings’ newly-established Kumul Agriculture Ltd.
The venture is expected to create some 235 direct jobs in a facility that will utilise advanced technology for the production of field crops for high intensive growth stock feed, a hatchery and poultry processing plant and an irrigated cocoa plantation which is expected to produce yields of some 400-500 per cent more than currently being obtained by existing cocoa plantations.
The Sepik Plains Agriculture Project has a footprint of 5,000 hectares.
The modern commercial agriculture facility will include a grain field crop operation, a feed mill, chicken production facilities, a cocoa-drying facility and a logistics centre.
Speaking at Haripmo recently where the project is located, Maru said the outgrower scheme would be launched next month.
He said chicken layers would be raised by IAI while broilers (meat birds) would be left to local farmers to raise and earn incomes.
“The chicken project will be completed in the next three months,” he said.
“This is the start of the Sepik Plain Special Economic Zone.
“I thank the Government for releasing funds to complete the roads down to the project.
“The district (Yangoru-Saussia) will offer credit facility through PNG Micro Bank for farmers to borrow and build their poultry sheds. We hope more families will own chicken sheds.
“People will raise chickens and after 40 days, they will be sold to the company for slaughtering and processing.”