Caption: Michael Dom of NARI (left) explaining the kaukau ensiling technology to Agriculture Minister and guests at Bubia recently.
By SENIORL ANZU of NARI
Pig farmers in Papua New Guinea will know a new methodology for developing and preserving improved feed from sweet potato or kaukau which can be stored over longer periods before feeding pigs.
The methodology, known as ‘sweet potato silage for pig feed’, will be officially released to the PNG farming community on Wednesday (May 5) during the 2010 Agricultural Innovations Show organised by National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) at its Sir Alkan Tololo Research Centre at Bubia outside Lae.
Other highlights of the occasion include a major stakeholder forum on preparing PNG for drought, launch of NARI’s national drought preparedness project and the display of a model resource centre which will be fully equipped with information and resources that will be made available to some 50 centres throughout drought-vulnerable regions of PNG.
The silage technology is a result of NARI’s research and development effort by its livestock programme to improve efficient use of feed by commercial pig growers.
Director for agriculture production systems improvement, Dr Sergie Bang, said kaukau silage developed though the technology could bestored for up to seven months with very simple equipment and relatively-low material costs.
Dr Bang said the technology also improved digestibility of feed, maintained good growth of pigs and potentially improved carcass quality and economic returns
He said the process of silage worked for kaukau in the trials conducted by NARI over the last few years, under both lowland and highland conditions.
“Fermentation acidity was measured at pH 4, which is an indication of high grade silage quality and when fed to pigs, kaukau silage has improved the digestibility of all feed nutrients,” he said.
“When silage was supplied as 50% of diet, digestibility was similar but the growth of pigs was expectedly lower than the sole grower ration.
“The kaukau mixed diet led to improved overall performance of pigs than those on traditional feeding options.”
Dr Bang said all materials needed for ensiling such as graters, bins and plastic sheets
could be easily obtained from agricultural stores in PNG.
The kaukau silage is made through ensiling techniques.
Ensiling is a method of processing green and raw feed materials that enable their preservation and storage over many months.
Material that undergoes ensiling, known as silage, can provide a very-nutritious and highly-palatable meal for animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
The technology has been proven for pig feed in PNG using kaukau tubers and vines at NARI Labu and was then promoted to villagers and smallholder farmers from communities in which pigs are culturally and economically-prominent.
Feeding kaukau tubers and vine to pigs is a popular practice by pig farmers in PNG. Growing feed for pigs or providing for pigs from the family garden is a laborious daily chore.
Kaukau tubers are also cooked before being fed to pigs.
Preparing silage means that cooking pig feed will not be an added task, usually for women.
It is hoped that the ensiling techniques will help save time and labour by enabling pigs to be fed from the preserved and stored feed.
Silage contains feed nutrients, carbohydrates and proteins, from ingredient materials, which have been partially broken down by fermentation processes and are readily digested and absorbed by animals.
Proper ensiling and careful storage enables feed to be kept in good quality for feeding long after the growing season of the crop.
Other food crops such as cassava, cassava leaf, banana and legumes as well as agro-industrial by-products such as copra meal, corn and wheat mill run and rice bran can also be used for ensiling.
Two contact farmers in the highlands and their surrounding farmers have become keen users of this technology, since the silage process and feeding was demonstrated to them.
They are Albert Kirimpa of Kainantu and Akilo Purunu of Tambul.
Mr Purunu is a semi-commercial pig farmer on whose farm the on-farm feeding trial was concluded.
Members of the Highlands Pig Growers Association from other parts of the Highlands have requested for this technology.
Granger Michael with his mother Celine at the White House in Washington DC last Friday Granger Michael and girlfriend Brigit Moore at the White House last Friday Celine and Graham Michael with baby Kebai
A beautiful morning in the Eden-like Rose Garden at the White House in WashingtonDC, USA, home of the most-powerful man on earth.
It is Friday, April 23, 2010.
President Barack Obama, casually and in a carefree manner for a man of his status, steps forward for this naturalisation ceremony of active-duty service members.
Among the 24 young men and women from around the world assembled here today is a 25-year-old Papua New Guinea, Granger Michael, who has already served three tours of duty in the deadly killing fields of Iraq.
The feats of young Granger are already the stuff of legend among family and close friends both in the USA and PNG.
His father, Graham, part Manam Island in Madang and Pila Pila in East New Britain and mum, Celine, from Panguna on Bougainville, shed quite tears of joy as Granger – resplendent in US Marine Corps colours – prepares to receive his accolade from Obama.
“To America’s newest citizens - it is a great honor to serve as your commander-in-chief, and it is my greatest pleasure to be among the first to greet you as a ‘fellow American’,” Obama begins.
“To you and your families, welcome to the White House.
“Today is your day - a celebration of 24 inspiring men and women and the remarkable journeys that have brought you together on this beautiful spring morning to our nation’s capitol.
“The paths that led you here began in more than a dozen countries, from Peru to Poland, from Kenya to the Philippines.
“Some of you came to America as children, holding tight to your parents’ hands as you arrived in a new world.
“Some of you came as adults, leaving everything you knew behind in pursuit of a new life.
“And while your stories are your own, today we celebrate the common spirit that lives within each of you - a spirit that has renewed and strengthened America for more than two centuries.
“We celebrate the love of family -- your moms and dads who were willing to say good-bye to their own families, their own countries, so they could have an opportunity to give you the opportunity you (sic) never had.
“Like generations of immigrants before them, they worked hard.
“They scrimped and they saved.
“They deferred their own dreams so that you could realise yours.
“So today is a tribute to their sacrifices as well.
“And I would ask that you join me in honoring your moms and dads and the families that helped bring you to this day.
“We celebrate the spirit of possibility - an ethic that says if you’re willing to put your shoulder to the wheel and apply your God-given talents, if you believe in yourself and you play by the rules, then there is a place for you in the United States of America - no matter where you come from and no matter what you look like.
“We celebrate the true meaning of patriotism - the love of a country that’s so strong that these men and women were willing to risk their lives to defend our country even before they could call it their own.
“It’s the patriotism of a young man from Papua New Guinea, who joined the United States Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq - not once, not twice, but three times.Asked why he would choose to become an American citizen, he said simply, ‘I might as well.I love this country already’.And so we congratulate Granger Michael.”
Granger Michael always displayed an interest in things military, according to father Graham Michael.
Mr Michael, a former Washington DC-based PNG diplomat whose father is from Dugulaba village on Manam Island in Madang province and mother from Pila Pila village in East New Britain province, is married to Celine from Guava-Dapera village at Panguna, Bougainville.
“We arrived in WashingtonDC on post in mid October 1997 when Granger was just 11 and a half years old,” he told me.
“Throughout his upbringing, while on post, he was very interested in all things military and that includes guns, tanks, airplanes and all sorts of military equipment.
“By age 13, his interest peaked and he decided to join the US Air Force's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) at his school - Woodrow Wilson High.
“After his year 12 graduation, he joined the US Marine Corps as a fresh recruit at the Marine Corps training depot at Parris Island, South Carolina.
“The 13-weeklong training in combat warfare is the longest in any US military basic training and he eventually graduated with flying colours in mid 2004.
“After graduation he was transferred to his first unit at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
“CampLejuene is the home of the ‘Marine Expeditionary Forces in Readiness’, the largest Marine installation in the east coast of US with over 40,000 Marines prepared for war deployment at short notice.”
Mr Michael said from there, his son was sent to Iraq on his first combat tour in late 2004.
“After six months deployment, he returned to CampLejeune and was again prepared for redeployment,” he said,
“He was deployed in Iraq in late 2006 for another six months stint.
“His third battle deployment was from mid 2007 to early 2008.
“Throughout his three tours of duty, Corporal Granger was an infantry team leader with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines.
“He served in Fallujah, Ramadi and other theaters where his Company was attacked multiple times by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
“Today, he remains in active duty and is assigned to Marine Barracks, Washington, DC as squad leader.”
Granger’s 23-year-old brother Leon S Michael, second born after him, is also serving in the US Armed Services as an electrical engineering specialist with the US Air Force.
He is currently attached to the engineering division at Travis Air Force Base near San Jose, California.
“Our daughter, Renee W Michael, 17, is graduating year 12 in June and is looking forward to studies in environmental science at one of the local universities here in West Virginia,” Mr Michael said.
“Apart from the two big boys, Renee and our two small boys - Graham J Nagora Michael II, seven, and Kebai S Michael, three - currently reside with us at home.
“Although the two boys were born in Maryland and West Virginia respectively, only Kebai is a US citizen by birth.
“Celine currently works as despatch officer with a large freight company here in West Virginia.
“Although she earned her diploma in secondary education from GorokaTeachers College (now University of Goroka), she decided to change job when we first resided here as permanent resident.
“She has been with this company for nearly five years now.
“As for me, I am currently lead software design and developer in my Microsoft gaming business.
“I started my software company - Pacific Islands Simulation - in mid 2008 and have so far published two Microsoft flight simulator software products.
“I design and develop three-dimensional (3D) objects and terrain sceneries from various sources including NASA satelite images under the Microsoft gaming label for pilots flying aircrafts in real life and use these product as training tools.
“The software genre is also meant for those who simply want to enjoy as desktop game to hone their skills in ‘computer flying’."
“My interest in flight simulation software is obviously related to my background as pilot and longtime aviation enthusiast.
“The two products are currently sold and received very well in Europe through shops in Germany and Belgium) Australia and Asia, and here in the US.
“From the sales success thus far, I guess I may be the first Papua New Guinean to break into the highly-challenging software gaming business.
“I am currently working on a third product which should be completed before the end of this year.”
But for now, the Michael family is so proud of their son and brother, Granger.
“We are so proud of his accomplishments first as our son, second as a US Marine Corp serving and protecting US interests and aspirations abroad, and finally as family and friend to so many of you,” say Graham and Celine.
Good afternoon to you all I would like to take this time to make aware to you all that cholera is now in Port Moresby.
We have confirmed the diagnosis by laboratory support from Central Public Health Laboratory at Port Moresby GeneralHospital for a couple of cases
Just to remind you all, that this disease has the potential to cause a major epidemic in the city and its peripheries if appropriate control and preventive measures are not seriously taken in to consideration.
This diarrhoeal disease can be fatal in at least 6 hrs from the onset of symptoms if immediate medical advice is ignored.
Symptoms include:
·Sudden onset of profuse watery diarrhea;
·No fever associated; and
·There may be vomiting or abdominal cramps.
All these lead to very severe dehydration and death.
The first thing to do at home is to drink plenty of water (coconut juice is very helpful) and seek immediate medical Attention at your nearest health facility.
Preventive measures I can reemphasise as a reminder:
1.Always wash hands after using the toilet or before preparing and handling food
2.Wash all fruits before eating( especially skin)
3.Boil water before storing as drinking water (70 degrees Celsius at least will do)
4.Cook all food thoroughly before eating
5.Avoid Flies.
The good news here is that this disease can be contained and eradicated from an epidemic to an endemic state if simples measures as above a followed.
If you do see or hear of an unusual increase in the above symptoms in association to diarrhoea in your areas, Speak to your Health Workers to immediately report to the National Department of Health Surveillance Unit for further investigation and verification.
Caption: Outgoing New Zealand High Commissioner Niels Holm with wife Suzette.-Picture courtesy of NEW ZEALAND HIGH COMMISSION
Outgoing New Zealand High Commissioner Niels Holm says the real wealth and strength of Papua New Guinea is in its people.
Mr Holm, who leaves officially on May 27 after three years in PNG to take up a new post as Official Secretary to Government House, said this at a farewell function at his residence last night.
His successor, Marion Crawshaw, arrives on May 28.
“PNG has been a fascinating and rewarding posting,” he said.
“It is a young country still working on shaping its institutions.
“It is a land of great contrasts - with poverty and wealth obvious to the most-casual visitor.
“But real secret is its people – a rich HR resource that constitutes its real long-term wealth when the copper and gold, the oil and gas are all gone.
“Most impressive of all is that small elite group of Papua New Guineans who are determined to do all in their power to make their country function as it should and stand tall.
“They seem immune to disappointments and just get up again after every knock back.
“I take off hat to them.
“They are the boast of PNG, and I firmly believe that the future of PNG lies with them, not with visions of LNG riches.”
Mr Holms said he and wife Suzette would take home many memories to New Zealand, some of the fondest being election day in Kundiawa 2007, glorious scenery of the Highlands Highway from Mendi down to Hagen, desolation of Arawa, volcanoes in Rabaul, snorkelling in Alotau and letters of hope and appreciation from some of those in remote areas whom the New Zealand High Commission had been able to assist.
“But the most-abiding memory is the toughness, resilience and determination of ordinary Papua New Guineans to cope with the demands of daily life, with that famous PNG smile,” he said.
Mr Holm said bilateral political and military relationships were strong with New Zealand hosting many PNG students, some of whom returned to join the now 230-strong Kiwi Alumni Association.
“Our bilateral relationship, I am happy to say, is going strong,” he said.
“While we may not have the intimacy or scale of engagement with PNG of our big neighbour (Australia), we have always had an excellent understanding with PNG’s leaders and in particular a shared perception of how the Pacific might address its problems.
“Trade is less strong, but we are hoping to change that , our first trade commissioner in a decade is here this week talking to officials and traders on how New Zealand can return to a market we have neglected.
“Last week we had an outstanding official visit to New Zealand by Prime Sir Michael Somare, which reconfirmed the bilateral relationship at the most fundamental level.
“The Prime Minister met New Zealand leaders, members of the PNG community, and had various contacts with Maori and discussions of their problems.
“I believe that he left New Zealand reminded of the fundamental strength of the bilateral relationship, and of the factors that have always made it possible for us to have a close if not a common understanding of bilateral regional and global issues.”
I refer to an article in today's Post Courier titled 'Bill delay...'.Yes, there's been a change of 'tact' on the part of some leaders, but it seems it is still business as usual? If the amendment to Section 27(4) has already been passed and is now up the Speaker, what chance is there of rescinding it?If Mr Malandina now wants more work done on his Amendment, why didn't he first check it out with ALL the stakeholders and circulate it publically and widely prior to introducing it into the House?Surely this is an attempt at 'smoke and mirrors' and further obfuscation of Mr Malandina's true intent?What is the government's view on this? Clearly it supports the entire Amendment and is only waiting for the current furore to die down.I hope those who are trying to have the Amendment withdrawn are not to be fooled. _____________________Article in today's PC: News Friday 30th April, 2010 Bill delay . . . By JONATHAN TANNOS NON-government organisations yesterday made a breakthrough in getting the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on the Ombudsman, Moses Maladina, to agree to delay final debate on the controversial Constitutional amendments. But Mr Maladina now faces the daunting task of convincing the Government caucus lead by the Leader of Government Business, Paul Tiensten, to allow for it. This is in order for them to make supporting changes to the amendments or review the proposed changes to the Organic Law on Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership and the other Constitutional alterations. The breakthrough came through an open meeting with leaders of the NGOs led by Transparency International PNG, Community Coalition Against Corruption, the Churches and Women's Councils plus others led by National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop. In a change of tact Mr Maladina has invited most protesting groups including lawyers, senior citizens and students to sit down with him and go through the changes. But he has also made it clear that he would not be withdrawing the bill, as it was already the property of Parliament and any changes would have to be integrated with current amendments on final approval by the government caucus. "The last thing I want to do is withdraw it," he said. "It's in Parliament and I want to make the changes there." Yesterday's open meeting was the first opportunity for the NGOs to hear from Mr Maladina first hand clarifications over the many misunderstandings and misinformation relating to the amendments. For many there it was a relief when Mr Maladina explained each specific amendment when they were given the opportunity to voice their objections on each one. On the most controversial one - Section 27(4) of the Constitution - rescinding the directive powers of the Ombudsman Commission, Mr Maladina told them it had already been passed and was only awaiting certification by the Speaker. And instead of the expected confrontational approaches to the meeting all parties found themselves being tasked by Mr Maladina to carefully scrutinize their own proposed changes and improvisations to be presented to his committee for consideration. "I myself want some more work to be done on the changes," he said. "There's a lot more work to be done." Mr Maladina said it was the responsibility of the Ombudsman Commission to protect the integrity of leaders "not having a prosecutorial attitude." Mr Maladina gave the working committee representing the NGOs to come up with their changes by Monday next week. He gave assurance that there would be debate on the floor after the additional consultations have been held.
Central Provence Governor Parkop has offered to be a 'peace broker' between those opposing the Malandina Amendment changes and Malandina. In this he has exhibited an example in the finest traditional manner of a PNG leader offering to sit down and talk a problem through. In this, he is to be commended.
What this offer unfortunately does however, is to cloud the 'central' issue to the extent it may be overlooked in an apparent public attempt to create harmony and prevent discord.
Also, can one assume that Governor Parkop, as a member of Parliament, originally voted for the amendment in the first place, since there were no dissenting votes? So could this be a veiled attempt to divert a show of solidarity against this legislation? If the planned protests do not go ahead, who will know what level of resistance there is against this Bill? Who can say there was any real attempt to stop this initiative from going forward? What is Governor Parkop's stated view on what he supports and what he doesn't? If there are to be no public demonstrations because it might disturb the flower beds, is this the new basis for preventing any future public gatherings?
There definitely needs to be a halt to the proposed Bill. But the Bill first needs to be withdrawn and then everyone take a step backwards. Proper, orderly and public debate can then take place by both the PNG government, the Opposition and all interested bodies before any changes are made to the PNG people's last line of defence against corruption and malfeance, there own Constitution.
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from today's The National Parkop volunteers to broker NGO meeting with Maladina
NCD Governor Powes Parkop has volunteered to organise a meeting between NGOs and Esa'ala MP Moses Maladina to discuss the proposed changes to "weaken" Ombudsman Commission powers. Mr Parkop said yesterday he was playing the middleman because did not want to see the planned protest march led by NGO group, Community Coalition Against Corruption, go ahead. He quashed suggestions that he was on a panel that was going to defend the proposed amendments suggested by Mr Maladina, who is the chairman of the select committee on the Ombudsman Commission. "I have arranged for civil societies and non-governmental organisations to meet with Mr Maladina come to a solution. "If they do not settle their differences here, then there is always room to continue their dialogue for the best way forward," Mr Parkop said. He said that he did not want Port Moresby residents to march or protest on the streets because a lot of money had been spent on Port Moresby's beautification "and we all know that people have the tendency to destroy things," he said. Mr Parkop said the meeting would also allow for rational debates to be carried out without emotions and yelling and shouting. "The proposed amendments all have merits and must be scrutinised properly. Some of them, I agree, should be changed and some I don't. "The public need to know that, basically, more power will be given to the Ombudsman Commission than it had before". "One such proposed amendment is for heads of departments to be closely scrutinised like Members of Parliament under the Leadership Code. "This was opposed by the OC because they felt that they would now be doing the job of the Department of Personnel Management. "This and the others all needed to be debated properly so that everyone understands what will happen next." In the first voting of the proposed amendments, a majority of the MPs had voted for it only to see the public respond negatively. It has been given a three-month period in which all public opinion be gathered for consideration and presentation for voting again in the next Parliament sitting after the three months. "I appeal to the public not to stage protest marches. If nothing is resolved after today, and if their will be a petition for a next meeting, then I am willing to facilitate this again," Mr Parkop said.
