Final year Tropical Agriculture students from the University of Natural Resources and Environment have believe that galip processing is a good agribusiness model, following a short visit to the galip factory at Kerevat, East New Britain recently.
Over 100 students were accompanied by their Agriculture Business Lecturers Naomi Mwayawa and Doreen Tunama as part of learning about various aspects in galip production. The first leg of their visit was the buying point where farmers bring in galip nuts in pulp then on to the depulping area, various drying stages, storage facility, cracking and product packaging.
Galip kernels are sorted into three different products and packed into sealed paper packets for shipment. Commercial Manager Scott Needham had a very positive interaction with the students mainly on the importance in processing galip along each stage of its value chain and its commercial potential in the New Guinea Islands region.
Students were shown the storage facility which keeps the kernels cool to maintain quality before being processed in the factory.
Centre Manager Martin Lobao spared time discussing the importance of cracking the nut in shell.
Scientist Dalsie Hannet introduced the processing of three galip products and explained that health and hygiene practices remains top priority from start to the final product before it reaches consumers. They were also informed on health benefits of using galip nut products, as an additional in-come for rural families and a potential industry in the near future.
The visitors commended staff for their research-proven work on galip over the last 20 years.
