News Stories
Korean Gov't invests in PNG agro-tourism project
by Seniorl Anzu (25/05/09)
The Korean Government will invest a total of US$58, 900 in a new village movement concept, focusing on agricultural and eco-tourism development which will be trialed at Gabengsis village in the Huon District of Morobe province. The pilot project will include the production and processing of yam and construction of a yam-based tourism facility known as “Saemaul Eco-lodge”.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between Korea’s University-Industry Cooperation Foundation (UICF) of Kangwon National University and PNG’s NARI) on May 22, 2009, to pave the way for this collaborative initiative. The UICF is a new research and cooperation organisation of the Kangwon National University which has served to develop university-industry collaboration in the world. With funds from central and local governments in Korea, UICF’s objective is to contribute to the development of rural communities in domestic and foreign countries through various research and professional consulting for improving agricultural technologies, residential environment and reforming social structure.
The University has proposed to NARI early this year to pilot the concept in PNG. From May 18-22, 2009, three Korean professors were in Morobe, inspecting NARI research facilities at Bubia and discussing with local scientists. The Korean team also visited potential areas, talked to farmers and finally identified Gabengsis as the suitable site where the one-year project will be conducted.
In signing the MOA on behalf of NARI, Director General Dr Raghunath Ghodake told the Korean team that yam is a traditional crop in PNG with huge potential for development.
“Yam is grown widely in PNG mostly for raw consumption,” said Dr Ghodake, adding that: “there is no processing, no exporting but there is big potential for development”.
He said that NARI has expertise in yam agronomy and economics and will collaborate and work together with UICF to assist farmers in adding value to the crop and getting it to markets. He also suggested for strengthening the processing technology for other crops such as taro, cassava and sweet potato.
Korean spokesperson Professor Cheol Ho Park expressed satisfaction on the cooperation and willingness by both NARI and Gabengsis villagers and hoped that the pilot project will be successful.
“This is a community-based cooperation. It is a pioneer concept in university-industry research and collaboration with a view to contribute to the development of rural communities,” said Professor Park.
Team leader Professor Jeon Un-Seong said PNG has big potential in eco-tourism and Gabengsis is an ideal area for this project. He said the village with its food gardens, a lake and other natural features provide a good natural setting for tourism development, particularly from the agriculture-tourism perspective. Professor Un-Seong has been leading a similar project in Nepal which will be completed next month. Dr Ghodake said eco-tourism in agriculture is a new concept and the Institute will learn and pursue with much interest.
Under the agreement, the Korean government through UICF will provide financial and technical support for the project, which includes the development of yam production and processing technology, training of NARI staff and construction of the yam-based eco-lodge.