by Bethanie Harriman – EM TV News, Lae
A Papua New Guinean fruit expert, Daniel Kombuk, whilst at a stall at the National Agricultural Research Institute Show, said a specially developed citrus from Israel can generate over K200,000 in the highlands and over half a million kina in Port Moresby when harvested and sold.
He said this at the recent NARI Show in Lae that featured emerging Agricultural Small to Medium Enterprises that included Horticulture, and the unique species of orange selling at very high prices.
“Citrus can give you K250,000 up in the Highlands, one hectare, one year and in Port Moresby it can give you more than half a million kina,” said Kombuk.
Kombuk was trained by the Israelis’ to plant the fruits and has a Masters Degree in Plant Propagation from New Zealand.
He has become a fruit consultant and is selling trees from his plantations in Jiwaka Province.
Community based shows like the NARI Show often become the stage for major corporations to promote their achievements in the sector.
There are also small companies owned by Papua New Guineans, who come out to give a humble snapshot of their business.
Another humbled agricultural industry is Horticulture.
Teri Anne Manap who was next to the citrus stall had her flowers on display.
Papua New Guinean florists who are mostly self-taught and who take part in Papua New Guinea’s horticulture industry that’s largely unheard of are making money.
“I am doing beautification, landscaping, flower arrangement and potted plants as well.
“The money is good, because of the contracts,” said Ms. Manape.
Most of the plants have been collected from different locations and the arrangements that Teri-Anne chose has been learnt in small workshops and through experience over time.
The concept of Agricultural SME’s and rural development promoted at the NARI hinges on how Papua New Guinean entrepreneurs who take part in the horticulture industry and those who produce and sell fresh vegetables and fruits are empowered to take part in the economy.
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