Farmers happy over sweet potato price relief in Tari-Pori

Santos Limited Senior Community Affairs Liaison Officer and head of Opai Model Farm Andrew Mbuda Apuli is urging the Komo Hulia DDA to subsidize kaukau price similar to what Tari Pori DDA did *(Image: NBC News)*

Farmers in Hayapuga have thanked the Tari-Pori District Development Authority for a K500,000 funding allocation to Wonderland Agristock Limited [WAL], which lifted the farm-gate price of sweet potato [kaukau] from 80 toea to K1.30 per kilogram.

WAL is buying sweet potato from local growers to process into livestock feed, supporting a new push for efficient and sustainable pig production in Hela Province.

In other districts without the subsidy, sweet potato is still trading at 80t per kilo.

Henry Kumapugo, a farmer from Hiwanda village who has been mobilizing his community into commercial production, acknowledged Tari-Pori MP and Prime Minister James Marape for the price relief.

“This initiative will encourage people to go into farming,” Kumapugo said. “It’s not good seeing people selling store goods, betel nut, and cigarettes along the roadside.

"Everyone in Hela has a piece of land. We must go into farming, and the DDA is promoting agriculture through this kind of funding.”

He also said law and order remains a barrier to rural development.

“Law and order issues are forcing people to move or seek refuge in other places,” he said. “We need government intervention to stop tribal conflicts, and every community leader must stand united to support the gun surrender program. I believe if there are no tribal conflicts, many people will embrace this agricultural activity.”

Kumapugo also credited Wonderland Agristock Chairman Larry Andagali for creating a direct market that spares farmers the struggle of selling in the sun and rain.

The Tari-Pori DDA has committed K500,000 towards the locally owned and operated Trans Wonderland Agrostock Industry Project, which aims to benefit surrounding communities and nearby districts across Hela Province.

Prime Minister Marape announced the support during his visit to Nogoli in February and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening local agriculture, livestock production and rural participation in the national economy.

He said the project driven by Hela landowner company Trans Wonderland Limited represents the type of community-focused investment needed to build sustainable livelihoods and long-term economic independence for rural Papua New Guineans.

"It will help our people participate meaningfully in business and food production."