Rice training received by officers working with the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) Food Security Program is bringing positive changes to the lives of communities they work with.
Six officers from ODTF received rice training which was facilitated by NARI in 2023, through a team of officers under NARI’s Rice and Grain program led by Rice Agronomist Anton Beko.
Speaking on behalf of participants John McCornathy during the inaugural National Agricultural Research System Agricultural Innovation Show (NARSIS) on May 12, says the Food Security team conducts extension services on rice programs by visiting communities, providing rice training and providing rice seed.
“Our team conducts regular checks with the communities to see if they are planting rice and collect reports. We help the community by gathering rice and milling rice for farmers,” expressed Mr McCornathy.
Women and children are involved through the process of soil preparation, planting, harvesting and winnowing.
Mr McCornathy is pleased that farmers have extended their rice blocks from 1 to 3 hectares and with the support of OTDF, are now packaging and selling rice.
Samples of milled and packaged rice by farmers were brought to the NARSIS for display.
Mr McCornathy says there are many positive developments through the food security program which includes rice as part of the local diet and additional income for the beneficiary communities.
He is grateful to NARI for the rice training which has translated into farmers growing, milling, consuming, and selling of rice to sustain their livelihoods.
