By JOE GURINA
THE Ijivitari District Development Authority in Northern Province has ventured into an agreement with Rigo Rice Limited for a possible rice project similar to the current project in Rigo, Central province.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the executives of the Ijivitari DDA headed by the district chief executive officer Kila Sibolo, three LLG presidents of Afore, Safia and Tufi and the CEO of Rigo Rice Limited Jeff Kennedy symbolises strong partnership in promoting and enhancing agriculture investment in the district.
The MoU signed also covers other agriculture activities such as cattle, coffee, kava, cocoa and fishing that will be implemented across all three local level governments (LLG) in the district.
Afore LLG has been proposed for coffee and kava, while Safia LLG has been selected for rice and cattle farming and Tufi LLG for tuna and fingerling fish farming.
Mr Kennedy said his company, 100 percent locally owned commercial rice company will heavily invest in the rice project, and turn the district into a hub of agriculture to supply the country and overseas.
” I have spent so much time and resource on the rice project in Rigo, Central Province for over five years, and I’m confident to expand to Ijivitari and rest of PNG,” he said.
He said locals will be trained to grow rice and supply his factory with resources with funding met by Rigo Rice Limited.
The MoU will allow the investor (Rigo Rice Limited ) to carryout feasibility studies, research and soil testing at the investor’s expense.
Mr Kennedy has agreed to work in partnership with the Ijivitari DDA to open up road access within the district and connect Central Province in the future to open new markets in Port Moresby and the country.
The DDA executives were taken on a road trip visit to the rice project site in Rigo over the weekend and were thrilled with the rice project, indicating significant interest on the project to be implemented in the district.