Trukai’s Markham rice project helping cut imports

PAPUA New Guinea is importing about 400,000 tonnes of rice at a cost of K600 million with Trukai Industries as the major player, Agricutlure Minister Benny Allan says.
He said Trukai had about 70 per cent of the market, and had been encouraging rice farming in the country to replace imports.
Meanwhile, Markham MP Koni Iguan was not happy that the Department of Agriculture and Livestock launched a new rice product – Hamamas – in Markham without working with him.
“On two occasions, the Minister for Commerce and Industry Wera Mori and I went to the district on an invitation from Trukai. We apologise for causing the inconvenience,” he said.
Trukai involves the community with its rice project in Markham.
“I want to thank the people of Markham for taking the initiative to establish their Incorporated Land Group and form cooperatives to work in partnership with Trukai,” he said.
“They grew five hectares of rice and harvested about three tonnes. This shows that one hectare can produce two tonnes of rice. It is now being distributed to all the outlets.”