***aCe***
by JAMES KILA
A CHINSE dry land rice variety grown in the Eastern Highlands province last year recorded a milestone yield per hectare thus surpassing records of its place of origin.
This was revealed by the Advsior Brian Wai with the Natural Resources Division of the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government.
The Chinese rice variety introduced in 2000 called “Golden Mountain No.1” recorded a yield of eight-tones per hectare at Fimito near Goroka. The rice was harvested from a an area planted by local farmer Kopi Manove from Kama village near Goroka.
The remarkable yield record has surpassed the average yield as per the hectare planted in its country of origin in China.
According to Mr Wai, when the initial reports of the experiments were sent to the university in China last year it received some sceptism as many did not believe such would occur. In China a hectare rice plot produces yield at the average of two to three tonnes.
“There was debate on the research findings in China. Therefore, in order to confirm that report an expert from the Jun Cao Technology made a trip to Goroka to physically confirm the particular finding and even noted the favourable conditions contributing to the yield” stated Mr Wai.
The advisor said the seeds obtained for trials in Eastern Highlands were selected when he was in China for studies. Three varieties were selected, with two already distributed to farmers following approved trials.
The rice project in Eastern Highlands came about in Feburary 2000 after the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University signed an agreement of “Conduct China Dry Rice Trial” in the Eastern Highlands Province with the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government.
The actual implementation of the dry rice project took place in March 2000, supervised by China JUNCAO technology expert team comprising Professor Lin Zhanxi and agronomist Lin Zhansen and EHP provincial division of the Natural Resources. In May, Fujian ProvincialGovernment and Eastern Highlands
A trial was firstly carried out at Nagamiufa village near Goroka by the setting up of a demonstration base. After the successful trial, dry rice planting demonstrating household and village were started and followed by a field meeting.
Many demonstration sites were set up such as Forapi community school site and women planting sites and other demonstration sites with different altitude, tempreture and humidity were also established.
The Chinese experts worked tirelessly to spread the dry rice planting techniques to the seven districts of Eastern Highlands by holding training courses, site meetings and on-site assistance. By the end of 2002, over 20 hectares of crop had been planted and by June 2003, more than 100 tonnes of rice had been harvested.
Additionally, many rural households in the province have cultivated their plots and planting rice. Most have already harvested their produce for their own consumption. Those big rice plots in the province have already began selling their produce to local consumers who prefer home-grown rice. The comments the rice farmers have been receiving have been favourable.
The Eastern Highlands deputy provincial administrator, Alvin Inammoi commented that the dry rice is the “Number one gift to PNG from the people and government of the Fujian province of the Republic of China”
Currently, farmers in all districts of the province are eager to get assistance in planting the Golden Mountain No.1 rice variety. That has caused dry rice planting in areas to increase significantly.
Ends…./
A CHINSE dry land rice variety grown in the Eastern Highlands province last year recorded a milestone yield per hectare thus surpassing records of its place of origin.
This was revealed by the Advsior Brian Wai with the Natural Resources Division of the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government.
The Chinese rice variety introduced in 2000 called “Golden Mountain No.1” recorded a yield of eight-tones per hectare at Fimito near Goroka. The rice was harvested from a an area planted by local farmer Kopi Manove from Kama village near Goroka.
The remarkable yield record has surpassed the average yield as per the hectare planted in its country of origin in China.
According to Mr Wai, when the initial reports of the experiments were sent to the university in China last year it received some sceptism as many did not believe such would occur. In China a hectare rice plot produces yield at the average of two to three tonnes.
“There was debate on the research findings in China. Therefore, in order to confirm that report an expert from the Jun Cao Technology made a trip to Goroka to physically confirm the particular finding and even noted the favourable conditions contributing to the yield” stated Mr Wai.
The advisor said the seeds obtained for trials in Eastern Highlands were selected when he was in China for studies. Three varieties were selected, with two already distributed to farmers following approved trials.
The rice project in Eastern Highlands came about in Feburary 2000 after the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University signed an agreement of “Conduct China Dry Rice Trial” in the Eastern Highlands Province with the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government.
The actual implementation of the dry rice project took place in March 2000, supervised by China JUNCAO technology expert team comprising Professor Lin Zhanxi and agronomist Lin Zhansen and EHP provincial division of the Natural Resources. In May, Fujian ProvincialGovernment and Eastern Highlands
A trial was firstly carried out at Nagamiufa village near Goroka by the setting up of a demonstration base. After the successful trial, dry rice planting demonstrating household and village were started and followed by a field meeting.
Many demonstration sites were set up such as Forapi community school site and women planting sites and other demonstration sites with different altitude, tempreture and humidity were also established.
The Chinese experts worked tirelessly to spread the dry rice planting techniques to the seven districts of Eastern Highlands by holding training courses, site meetings and on-site assistance. By the end of 2002, over 20 hectares of crop had been planted and by June 2003, more than 100 tonnes of rice had been harvested.
Additionally, many rural households in the province have cultivated their plots and planting rice. Most have already harvested their produce for their own consumption. Those big rice plots in the province have already began selling their produce to local consumers who prefer home-grown rice. The comments the rice farmers have been receiving have been favourable.
The Eastern Highlands deputy provincial administrator, Alvin Inammoi commented that the dry rice is the “Number one gift to PNG from the people and government of the Fujian province of the Republic of China”
Currently, farmers in all districts of the province are eager to get assistance in planting the Golden Mountain No.1 rice variety. That has caused dry rice planting in areas to increase significantly.
Ends…./