By Lilian Sopera Keneqa – EMTV News, Port Moresby
One tonne of locally grown maize was delivered to Ilimo Dairy Farm yesterday at 14 Mile. Steven Kapateai, from Kuriva in the Kairuku district, is the first farmer to successfully grow maize through the maize out-grower program in Central Province.
The maize purchased from the local farmers will become part of the feed provided to Ilimo Dairy to feed the cows. This partnership which was officially signed on May 10, 2016, between Innovative Agro Industries and the Central Provincial Government, and is now giving farmers in Central Province the ability to not only make money, but also creates employment.
Innovative Agro Industries Chairman, Ilan Weiss, applauded the farmers and explained that purchasing Ilimo Milk is supporting the local farmers.
It takes 100 days to grow the maize, and farmers in the five districts of Central Province now have the chance to effectively contribute to the country’s economy. With Steven’s success in farming maize, many other farmers were confident to do the same.
