Trukai prepares for second harvest at Rangiampum

By EREBIRI ZURENUOC
TRUKAI Industries Ltd is expected to harvest more than 1,000 tonnes at Rangiampum in Umi along the Markham Valley, Morobe, next month.
The harvest is the second batch for the Trukai Hamamas Rice brand which is grown, milled and packed here.
The first 519 tonnes was harvested last year. The rain-fed crop is planted over 275 hectares.
An additional 500 hectares will be added for the 2020 harvest and production.
Commercial cropping manager Nicodemus Bokame told The National last Friday that depending on the variety, the Trukai 3 variety of rice took four months to mature.
“The Trukai 3 variety is suitable for the Markham Valley area, which sees better yield,” he said.
“It also has health benefits such as low in the glycaemic index.”
He said harvesting took six weeks, with extra two weeks to cover the area.
“Only five staff are manning the farm site,” he said.
“The crop is harvested using two combine harvester, which harvests two tonnes in an hour, with around three to four tonnes is harvested per hectare.”
Interim chairman Amos Jeffery said registering the land was still in progress.
“We have the land, and Trukai gave us the opportunity to grow rice,” he said.
“We couldn’t say no because our farmers need money to pay for school fees and health services.”