Over the last twenty years, much of the development in Enga Province has been supported by revenue generated from the Porgera Gold Mine. This development has allowed the province to implement successful programs, including the much talked about free-education policy.
However, the province is now looking to agriculture as its main money earner moving forward to the future.
The village of Yapai, in the Laiagam area of Enga Province, came to life recently, with close to 7,000 people witnessing the launch of two landmark projects for this area. A seed multiplication project, together with a potato farming project, all initiated by the community, at a cost of close to K2.5 Million.
According to Enga Governor, Grand Chief Sir Peter Ipatas, this project signals a new start for Enga Province, in its bid to become the food bowl of Papua New Guinea.
He likened this new focus on agriculture as the start of a green revolution for Enga.
“Enga will now look to agriculture as the main source of revenue after the Porgera Project – this is how we are transforming the focus from Metal Gold to Green Gold.”
Agriculture Minister, Tommy Tomscoll, was on hand to launch these projects.
Whilst initiated by the community, these two projects have been supported in a large way by Fresh Produce Development Agency, FPDA through a public private partnership.
