Kaduwaga rice project strengthens food security

Hit by food security issues at the height of Covid19 concerns, an island community had embarked on rice farming to sustain themselves.

This year with help of Milne Bay’s Division of Agriculture and Livestock, the Kaduwaga community off the coast of the Trobriand Islands has had even more help to encourage this endeavor.

One of the country's priority Vision 2050 is to eradicate poverty, and with the Milne Bay Provincial Government's policy 'Going rural, serving rural', establishing and supporting such a small-scale rice farming project is essential.

The island community off the coast of main Trobriand Island celebrated the proper launch and recognition of their rice project last week, initial work had begun back in in 2019.

Livestock advisor and acting Principal Advisor, Division of Agriculture and Livestock Ropsy Taudiri says this project is part of others they've established in province to enhance food security and agricultural development.

Taudiri says the long-term vision for the project is to help nearby atoll communities address food security issues.

The community rice project area at Kaduwaga has since attracted the support of a 20KVA generator and an Osakawa Rice Mill from the Milne Bay Provincial Administration, with their Kiriwina/Goodenough District Administration also pitching in.