by Colleen Barilae – EM TV, Lae
People of Erap in the Markham district of Morobe province stand to benefit from a cassava project that was opened in May this year.
An MOU signed yesterday between SP Brewery and Aligned Energy has strengthened the agreement of this project.
The cassava project will involve cassava farmers who will plant, harvest and sell cassava starch to SP Brewery.
The cassava project will be used in an inter-cropping research, to identify successful cassava farms to supply starch for beer production.
During May’s launching of land allocated for the cassava project, the Department of Agriculture has agreed to use this project in support of Public, Private and People Partnership.
The MOU signed between SP Brewery and Align Energy seeks to encourage smallholder farming amongst surrounding communities.
Cassava plants will be grown through plantations of trees managed by Align Energy.
The cassava project is expected to generate income for more than 5,000 people in the Markham area.
Wealth generation and sustainability is an area the private sector partners will be developing through engaging local communities that will be selling cassava starch.
The approach is to engage more rural farmers to be part of the Public, Private and People Partnership to improve sustainable development.
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