On the 20th March 2013, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has handed over a 400–egg small poultry incubator. It was handed by MAL Undersecretary Mr Jimmy Saelea to the Chairman of KGA Moses Pelomo who received the machine on behalf of KGA management. The ceremony took place at the KGA compound in the presence of Dr Workneh and Monika, from the National Agriculture Research Institute of Papuan New Guinea (NARI), MAL staff, KGA staff and local farmers.
Speaking on behalf of NARI, Dr Workneh highlighted that this is part of the five year research project aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change on food security and livelihoods in vulnerable areas in PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu that was launched in Port Moresby March 2011. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the PNG National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) in partnership with MAL – Solomon Islands and Department of Agriculture, Rural Development – Vanuatu and the University of Natural Resources and Applied Science (BOKU) – Vienna, Austria. He said that the specific objective is to improve the food production capacity of smallholders’ communities that experienced threats to agricultural production and productivity.
In his opening remarks on behalf of the Permanent Secretary (the Chief Guest), the Undersecretary MAL Mr Jimmy Saelea thanked EU for their support to this very important development and without EU assistance we will not be in a position to witness this event. MAL through its livestock department and extension services to the rural community has encouraged local farmers to engage in these worthy undertakings. As a result, Farmers will earn income from local sale of chicken and provide for a nutritious meal for the family. He also thanked KGA for been a partner and the effort they (KGA) made to accommodate and manage the hatchery machine.
The KGA Chairman Moses Polomo has thanked the MAL, EU through NARI to identify KGA and has seen fit to be the recipient of the hatchery. The hatchery will boost and strengthened the work of KGA with its local farmers. In addition this egg hatchery will create conducive environment for research and collaboration with partners such as MAL and NARI. The Chair has assured MAL, NARI and the Donor (EU) that KGA will ensure proper management of the Hatchery to meet its objectives. He said KGA has local qualified staff to manage the egg hatchery but has requested collaboration and support from MAL. Peter Haeo, PSO for Small Livestock at KGA will be the supervising staff manning the Hatchery. KGA has provided a standby generator as backup to counter the increase SIEA power blackout because once eggs are stored in the hatchery it requires continuous power supply to maintain consistence temperature suited for egg hatching.
Dr Workneh has assured KGA that NARI will provide practical training to KGA and Monika will be available to carry out the initial training. He said that the total cost of procurement and shipment of this egg incubator was about SBD35, 000.
