By PEARSON KOLO
MORE than 500 farmers in the Western Highlands Province have embraced rice farming and are already earning money from this new venture.
The farmers are now selling their produce at the Mt Hagen Market, in their communities and to business houses.
MORE than 500 farmers in the Western Highlands Province have embraced rice farming and are already earning money from this new venture.
The farmers are now selling their produce at the Mt Hagen Market, in their communities and to business houses.
Most of the smallholder village rice farmers, using their own land, and members
of Western Highlands Province Rice Products Co-operative Society, are receiving
training and technical assistance to cultivate the crop and earn money for their
families.
Chairman of WHP Rice Products Co-operative Society Benny Wandaki said rice is growing well in the province and many farmers are extending their plots because they see it as another alternative income earner, apart from garden produce like potatoes and coffee.
“Many of these farmers are approaching the co-operative society for assistance after seeing that their rice is growing well and there is potential for them to make money,” Mr Wandaki said.
Chairman of WHP Rice Products Co-operative Society Benny Wandaki said rice is growing well in the province and many farmers are extending their plots because they see it as another alternative income earner, apart from garden produce like potatoes and coffee.
“Many of these farmers are approaching the co-operative society for assistance after seeing that their rice is growing well and there is potential for them to make money,” Mr Wandaki said.
“The society is providing the farmers who are affiliated with us with rice
seedlings, training on how to plant and look after rice. We also help many of
them to sell their produce,” Mr Wandaki said.
The chairman said rice is growing exceptionally well in the province and the quality is also good.
The chairman said rice is growing exceptionally well in the province and the quality is also good.
“We had a visitor from Australia, Russell Ford, who does research in rice and he
was amazed at the way rice is doing so well in Western Highlands,” Benny Wandaki
said.
“Mr Ford told farmers the quality of our rice was good and this has seen the increase in production in the province.”
Former Trukai Rice Industries manager Edward Buasin who started the co-operative society, said there is more help available to assist the farmers to
produce the best quality rice and in large quantities.
“Rice is growing exceptionally well but government assistance is needed to show the farmers that the government is
behind them to encourage them to plant more rice,” Mr Buasin said.
Mr Buasin called on the local MPs from WHP to support farmers in their districts to plant rice.
According to Benny Wandaki, rice is expected to be grown widely in WHP and if all goes well, it may rival sweet potato as a staple in the province.
“Mr Ford told farmers the quality of our rice was good and this has seen the increase in production in the province.”
Former Trukai Rice Industries manager Edward Buasin who started the co-operative society, said there is more help available to assist the farmers to
produce the best quality rice and in large quantities.
“Rice is growing exceptionally well but government assistance is needed to show the farmers that the government is
behind them to encourage them to plant more rice,” Mr Buasin said.
Mr Buasin called on the local MPs from WHP to support farmers in their districts to plant rice.
According to Benny Wandaki, rice is expected to be grown widely in WHP and if all goes well, it may rival sweet potato as a staple in the province.
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