Bulolo goes big on farming

Bulolo MP Sam Basil drives the new tractor with an excited Mumeng locallevel government president Mathias Jack at his side. Picture by PISAI GUMAR

By PISAI GUMAR

BULOLO district on Tuesday presented K300, 000 to the Department of Agriculture’s Erap Food Security Resource and Development Centre for the purchase of cattle and other livestock.

The money was presented during the National Agriculture Research Institute’s agriculture innovations show at Bubia outside Lae.

The payment was for 160 head of cattle, eight buffalos, 160 goats, 4, 000 ducklings, 20,000 fingerlings and training of trainers in livestock farming system and drugs and medication for animals.

The funding is also for upkeep, extension and advisory support visits by technical officers to assist farmers.

The project was initiated to encourage farmers develop sustainable livestock farming systems and improve family nutrition with the surplus to be sold.

The livestock development project is initiated for Wau Rural, Upper Watut, Buang and Mumeng LLGs.

Meanwhile, the first of four new multi-purpose tractors was delivered to Mumeng from Ela Motors in Lae on Monday to develop the LLG’s agricultural capacity.

Morobe law and order committee chairman Benson Suwang and deputy administrator Patilias Gamato on Monday launched the tractor at Timini Primary School along with with its trailer, slasher, plough and rotor.

“It will help farmers plough agricultural land, clean the government station on weekdays, and transport local farmers’ coffee bags and fresh food to markets,” said Bulolo MP Sam Basil.