By Jack Lapauve Jnr – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Farmers in Simbu Province will no longer see their garden produce rot, thanks to the Simbu Farmers Marketing Limited (SFML).
Garden produce in Simbu will now be directly transported from Simbu to Lae, then shipped in containers to Port Moresby markets.
Simbu Governor, Noah Kool, said the project is for the small rural farmers who always find difficulties in selling their garden produce.
“As long as our farmers are happy, we know the project is a success,” Kool said.
Governor Kool said Simbu farmers have suffered enough and now a new market has opened up for our people. The Simbu Provincial Government has supported the initiative with K1.5 million.
Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) officer, John Kewa, said his group will work closely to support the initiative.
Today, Governor Kool and Simbu Provincial Administrator, Joe Kunda, held hands to cut the ribbon for a new Landcruiser and a container for food storage and transportation.
SFML Chairman Damien Togi is confident the project will go a long way and see Simbu farmers benefit from the sale of their produce.
Chairman Togi said no market opportunity has seen thousands of pieces of fresh garden produce rot and farmers efforts lost.
“Now we can be happy a new door has open for the Simbu people,” Togi added.
“The initiative started in 2013 and after two and a half years,the project is officially into operation”.
The New Zealand Government has come on board to support the project. The project will start with two containers of garden produce transported to Port Moresby, beginning next week.
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