Communities in Morobe welcome biodegradable technology

Three village communities in Atupan, Zumangurun and Mamaringan of Umi Atzera LLG in Markham District of Morobe Province has welcomed a biodegradable technology to minimize the impacts of climate change.

The farmers of these communities have agreed to use this technology a mitigation tool to reduce the impacts of flash flooding and soil erosion on their food and cash crops.

Smart Farmers President John Gaif and the team from Eagle Vetiver Systems Limited conducted awareness on the biodegradable technology over the weekend.

John Gaif said the first phase requires assessment and awareness to the communities, which will then be followed by a training to be conducted by Vetiver System officers.

After the training, the farmers will plant the Vetiver grass for nursery and will be later transplanted to certain locations identified through the assessment.

Gaif urged the communities to embrace this technology to ensure there are positive outcomes of the initiative.

"We plant now to put stop to the reoccurring natural disaster that’s taking place in our villages." Gaif said.

Eagle Vertiva Systems officer Robinson Vanoh said this volunteer work is aimed to help the people affected by natural disasters.

Vanoh said biodegradable technology has been in existence since the 1980s but it hasn't been used effectively because of it's unpopularity.

He added that his team will be visiting those affected communities in Markham to ensure this project becomes a success, continuing from the second phase.

Meanwhile, Mamaringan community leader, John Yamin embraced the concept and applauded Markham Smart Farmers for engaging Eagle Vertiva Systems with the disaster pronged communities.

"Farmers must must source help from such agencies for tangible change but we appeal to the government to support such technology that is friendly and less costly," he said.

Yamin admitted disaster is not only natural as humans also contribute to mass destruction of the garden.