Hela revives shut down agro centers for farmers

Two shut down Agro industry centers in Hela will be revived after the Provincial Government signed a new management deal with veteran agriculturalist Scott Nathan.

The Koroba Agro Industrial Center in Koroba Lake Kopiago and the Piwa Agro Industrial Center in Tari Pori districts were abandoned by their previous operator, Innovative Agro Industry.

Under the new agreement, Nathan will take over operations.

Koroba will continue running its modern layers-poultry farm, while Piwa will focus on vegetable farming and broiler production.

Both facilities will double as training and incubation centers to support farmers and agribusinesses across the province.

Prior to signing the Memorandum of Agreement, Governor Philip Undialu said Nathan was a Papua New Guinean with three generations of farming heritage and over 40 years’ experience in cropping and livestock.

“I summoned the IAI to to give a report, but they shut down the two facilities and left without giving me a formal report,” Undialu said.

With the MoA signed, governor Undialu said the centers will be revived as provincial agriculture hubs.

“This is about turning dead assets into working farms that train our people, grow food, and create income. These centers will coordinate all agriculture activities in Hela,” he said.

Nathan thanked the provincial government for the opportunity and pledged to work closely with the provincial government and local communities.