Sumkar allocates K1 million to subsidise copra price

THE Sumkar development authority (DDA) has funded K1 million as part of its ongoing support towards subsidising copra pricing in the district, local MP Chris Nangoi says.
Nangoi said through the subsidy programme, large amounts of copra were produced by farmers and people had benefitted from the proceeds which they had used to improve their lives including paying for their children’s school fees.
“In support of the Marape-Basil Government’s policy to focus on down streaming and elevating the agriculture industry of the country, Sumkar opted to continue subsidising the copra price on Karkar Island and Sumgilbar local level government on the mainland,” Nangoi said.
“Copra and cocoa are basic income earners for the people of Sumkar, therefore, the DDA has allocated another K1 million in a copra subsidy which had been distributed among the copra buyers.”
Of the K1 million, K200,000 was given to Kulili Estates on Karkar Island, another K200,000 to Biabi Enterprise while Linguan company was given K200,000.
On the mainland of Sumgilbar, K400,000 was allocated to Pristine for the two buying ports of Mirap and Megiar.
Nangoi said all the copra buyers were urged to bring the price up to K1.50 per killgramme and this price was across the board at Karkar and Sumgilbars.
“People are starting to work their land and working their coconut plantations because of the price attraction,” he said.
“This could help parents take ownership and help them pay their children’s school fees.”