Markham smart farmers launch new resource center

Markham Smart Farmers Association launched a new Resource center in Markham District of Morobe Province on Wednesday.

The project is an initiative of MFSA with assistance by Digicel foundation with 50K in 2024.

Construction for the project started in 2023 and was complete at the end of last year.

President for MFSA John Gaif said; "The building has an office space, a conference center, inclusive of two rooms for hospitality purpose for visitors to the center. It has septic ablution area and is powered by solar energy and a stand-by generator."

It was a two-day event, starting with farmers field day on the 28th and launching of the center on the 29th of January 2026.

During the launching, MFSA also commissioned its new K27,000 solar dryer, funded by Fresh Produce Development Agency [FPDA].

President Gaif said although the Association is very young [three years old], its partnership program with stakeholders has made impact in his community and the nearby communities.

"With this farming Association, we have established the new Itzir Primary School which benefit 30 hamlet villages around the area, where Australian Government under the leadership of the current Australian Consulate, Brenton Kanowsky who helped with K92 mine as well," he said.

Gaif said the association plans to have an aid post of their own, so they do not walk four hours to the nearby health center at Mutzing.