The village of Sapuka in the South Fly District of Western Province has embarked on a journey to achieve food security through rice farming in their area.
Last month, the community witnessed the official launch, of a food security program, aimed at empowering the people to cultivate rice and drought tolerant crops at the village level.
This initiative has gained momentum, with more than 100 farmers producing milled rice at the Community Seed Bank Centre (CSBC) since November 2022.
Igu Kisua, a community representative said, the villagers were used to rely on the forest for sustenance, but with the introduction of rice farming in their area, their lives have been transformed.
The locally produced rice has not only met the needs of the village, but it has also contributed to feeding nearby villages along the Fly River.
However, the limited capacity of the milling equipment, resulting in delays have been a challenge for farmers.
The village representative said, there is a need for a larger and more robust milling machine.
He further emphasized that downstream processing plays a pivotal role in motivating farmers.
Fresh Produce Development Agency Executive Manager, John Kewa also expressed his anticipation to support food security through a collaborative partnership with the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).
“We are actively working towards deploying our officers to Sapuka Village this year to provide technical assistance on the ground.” He said.
OTDF Chief Executive Officer Havini Vira acknowledged the community’s efforts in taking ownership of the food security program, which will be rolled out across the province.
He further emphasized the significance of such community-driven initiatives, as a pathway to sustainable community development.
Related: https://insidepng.com/rigo-rice-supports-domestic-rice-demand/
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