Kairuku MP Peter Isoaimo has encouraged his people to grow more in agriculture and livestock because of the available land and rich soil in the district.
He noted that the district can grow cash crops like rice, coffee, cocoa, copra, and oil palm, and raise livestock to supply both local and international markets.
Isoaimo, the first MP for the new district in the Central Province addressed his people as the Department of Commerce and Industry handed out 32 Cooperative Society Certificates to farmers in Kuni.
He said these certificates would help locals start small businesses, like poultry, inland fishing, piggery, and other farming projects.
“Your livelihood in the community will start improving, and your living standard would develop through this initiative,” he said.
Isoaimo has pledged over K165, 000 to support the 32 societies, giving each group K5, 000 in start-up capital to launch their chosen projects.
During the launch, he said, “Each society group will receive K5, 000 as a startup capital to start develop your projects.”
The Cooperative Societies of PNG’s Southern Region presented certificates to society members at the event.
He explained that the funds would come from the district’s economic sector budget and be distributed to farmers through their society accounts.
Isoaimo said locals would also gain by participating in the Abeda Oil Palm project in the Kuni area.
Kuni LLG President, Jimmy Aniawa, shared that forming these societies took much time and effort.
“The certificates that you receive today are not ordinary papers, but it must be utilised to get financial support from the district and provincial government.
Aniawa urged locals and society members to form an umbrella company and work together on community projects, stating, “You all can affiliate to it and have it as your existing company to generate income and benefit all members.”