Trukai: Kairuku Hiri growing quality rice

 TRUKAI Industries Ltd (Trukai) has identified quality rice from Kairuku-Hiri district, Central, when a local sold more than half a tonne to the company recently.

Chief Gabriel Maia Haino was a success story other landowners in the area, could look up to to consider rice as a cash crop. 

In his late 40s, Haino stood proud two weeks ago when he sold his first rice crop to Trukai.

Senior project adviser Chris Quirk, from Trukai’s parent company, SunRice, said: “This is the best rice in terms of quality. This is the type of rice Trukai wants to buy. I wasn’t really expecting this harvest outcome. But if Vekabu is any indication, there is promise of Central growing quality rice.” 

Vekabu was first village in Vanapa-Vekabu rural LLG to trial a rice planting project, with Trukai’s assistance. 

The trial project started last year with Haino planting in July on 0.7 hectares of land, following an agreement with Trukai to trial rice viability in the province. Haino said; “I want my community to tap into rice cultivation because our land is viable to grow rice. 

“I like Trukai’s concept, where both the land and rice belongs to the people. 

“This is what the local people want, with the added bonus of Trukai providing us with technical advice and assistance.” 

Haino harvested his first bounty three months after planting. 

Central rice project officer Nicodemus Bokame said: “The quality of these seeds is very good and will be used to expand production at Vekabu and Amadi. A total of 14 hectares of seed crop will be sown.”