New peanut manual to boost production in PNG and Australia
Published Wednesday, 15 October, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
LAE, PNG: A new best practice manual for peanut growing that will further enhance peanuts as a leading industry, was launched today by Queensland’s Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin in PNG.
“Peanuts are one of the most profitable crops in PNG, producing around 30 000 tonnes each year and providing a major portion of family income in the PNG highlands,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Peanut crops are also very important to Australia, with the total value of production in Queensland expected to reach $30 million in 2008-09 from a harvest of 36 000 tonnes.
“This manual is designed to help PNG smallholders apply best practices to boost their peanut production and also enhance marketing opportunities.
“It provides scientific information about crop agronomy, as well as being a practical, field reference tool for smallholders, peri-urban gardeners, researchers, students and remote villagers who farm peanut crops.
“The manual is the result of research collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, National Agricultural Research Institute (PNG), Ramu Agri-Industries Limited, and Trukai Industries.
“The manual is a significant result of a $1.35 million peanut initiative jointly funded by Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
“Part of this initiative is research into new varieties of peanuts with potential to yield more than local varieties, as well as implementing changes in agronomy and cultural practices.
“In 2007 best management practices resulted in yield improvements of over 100% in a number of trial sites in the Morobe and Eastern Highlands provinces of PNG
“Through this initiative we are aiming for a 40% increase in peanut production in Morobe and EHP regions in five years, resulting in 4.5million kina per year additional net income at current market prices.
“The project is benefiting the Australian peanut industry by developing and implementing satellite imagery technologies to assess spatial variability in crops. This will help peanut growers make decisions about crop production and harvest management to minimise yield and quality losses, and therefore achieve up to 20% more profitability.
“Queensland and PNG’s mutual interest in enhancing the quality and productivity of peanut crops make us ideal partners in these research projects, which will benefit the peanut industry and its stakeholders both in PNG and Australia.”
For a copy of the Manual for Best Practices for Peanut Growing, contact Mike Hughes at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries on email michael.hughes@dpi.qld.gov.au or ACIAR on email aciar@aciar.gov.au
Media: 32396530
“Peanuts are one of the most profitable crops in PNG, producing around 30 000 tonnes each year and providing a major portion of family income in the PNG highlands,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Peanut crops are also very important to Australia, with the total value of production in Queensland expected to reach $30 million in 2008-09 from a harvest of 36 000 tonnes.
“This manual is designed to help PNG smallholders apply best practices to boost their peanut production and also enhance marketing opportunities.
“It provides scientific information about crop agronomy, as well as being a practical, field reference tool for smallholders, peri-urban gardeners, researchers, students and remote villagers who farm peanut crops.
“The manual is the result of research collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, National Agricultural Research Institute (PNG), Ramu Agri-Industries Limited, and Trukai Industries.
“The manual is a significant result of a $1.35 million peanut initiative jointly funded by Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
“Part of this initiative is research into new varieties of peanuts with potential to yield more than local varieties, as well as implementing changes in agronomy and cultural practices.
“In 2007 best management practices resulted in yield improvements of over 100% in a number of trial sites in the Morobe and Eastern Highlands provinces of PNG
“Through this initiative we are aiming for a 40% increase in peanut production in Morobe and EHP regions in five years, resulting in 4.5million kina per year additional net income at current market prices.
“The project is benefiting the Australian peanut industry by developing and implementing satellite imagery technologies to assess spatial variability in crops. This will help peanut growers make decisions about crop production and harvest management to minimise yield and quality losses, and therefore achieve up to 20% more profitability.
“Queensland and PNG’s mutual interest in enhancing the quality and productivity of peanut crops make us ideal partners in these research projects, which will benefit the peanut industry and its stakeholders both in PNG and Australia.”
For a copy of the Manual for Best Practices for Peanut Growing, contact Mike Hughes at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries on email michael.hughes@dpi.qld.gov.au or ACIAR on email aciar@aciar.gov.au
Media: 32396530