By: Mortimer Yangharry
The Lagaip Poverty Relievers Association (LPRA) is committed to ensure the multiplication of potato seed is extensively carried out throughout the Lagaip District.
LPRA Coordinator Tony Sulupin mentioned that the Lagaip Potato Seeds Project Scheme was officilly launched at the Wanepap ward 22 of the Lagaip Rural LLG in 2020.
“It was a partnership arrangement between the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA), Department of Agriculture and Livestock Enga and Lagaip Poverty Relievers Association (LPRA) to produce healthy seed potato with the intent to boost potato industry in the country,” Sulupin said.
However due to funding constraint, the project has been stalled for a while until the European Union/United Nations Development Program came on board to fund the project in 2021.
“We trained locals to become entrepreunership owners by instilling appropriate farming skills to farmers,” Sulupin said.
Sulupin revealed that the seed multiplication project will officially come to an end towards the end of this month with 10 hectares of unused land already cultivated for further multiplication of sequeoa seed essential for commercial farming.
“With technical support from project partners in FPDA, EU/UNDP, we will establish an effective supply chain system so that our fresh potato will reach food malls in the main centres of Port Moresby and Lae,” Sulupin concluded. Sulupin strongly believes in the potential of potato as a major cash crop for the district and called on the provincial government and the local MP to assist in this sustainable community development economic initiative that will truly alleviate poverty in the rural villages.
