DISTRICT ADVANCES TO PRODUCE RICE
North Fly District in Western province has made progresses closer to start producing and packing locally-grown rice.
The progress follows arrival of seven motors from overseas for specific machines of the rice mill in the district.
Local MP James Donald said the work on the rice processing mill came to a halt due to delay in motors backorder.
Everyone has been questioning what has happened to the rice processing plant or mill in Kiunga with no sign of progress.
Hon. James Donald
Thankfully, all the seven motors have arrived in the country mid this month and all got cleared.
Mr Donald
In a media statement, he said, they will ship the much-needed motors to Kiunga this weekend.
In May, we will do installation work of the motor with final touches on all the machines. We will do test run of the whole assembly line and possibly prepare for commissioning.
Local Member of Parliament, James Donald
Additionally, he said, the rice production will address food security and the country’s heavy reliance on rice imports.
The country imports 400,000 tonnes of rice per year at a cost of K600 million. Related story: https://www.thenational.com.pg/support-15000-rice-farmers-in-png-towards-self-sufficiency/
“We’ve stayed focused and never deviated from our rice agenda in the electorate since 2017. We think rice is one of food securities we can focus now and lock it into the future to feed our own people,” said Donald.
FOOD SECURITY
Food security must become one of the key policies our PNG should never overlook, he said.
Mr Donald warned a country without food security policy is a doomed nation.
“We cannot wait until a major crisis blows out of proportion. That is be it a war, natural disaster or pandemic to realize the meaning and importance of food security,” Donald concluded. More: https://pngsun.com/2020/06/14/png-eyes-asian-coffee-market/
Previously, the district launched the rice factory project in March, 2019 at Samagos DPI station outside of Kiunga.
