Rice Scientist Impressed with Rigo Rice

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An Agronomist (Rice Scientist), Mr. Robin Wingwafi says he is impressed with the operations at the Rigo Rice in Central Province. Mr. Wingwafi worked for Trukai Industries for five years with experience in scientific research and rice value chain- land prep, milling, identifying suitable rice varieties that perform agronomically well, and upland commercial farming. Mr. Wingwafi graduated with a Masters in Agriculture from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology and is currently studying for a PhD in Agriuclture.

“I am very happy with the developer of Rigo Rice who used his own funds to set up such a huge investment project with no Government support. The operation at Rigo Rice is progressing well and I am impressed with their production of grain yield of 6-9 ton/ ha under irrigated farming conditions. From my experience, under upland conditions, grain yield were produced at 3.5-4 ton/ ha,” said Mr. Wingwafi.

Mr. Wingwafi said both farming systems proved that rice can be grown commercially in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

“There are no scientific reasons to justify why rice cannot be grown in Papua New Guinea. Foreigners have told us that rice cannot grow in Papua New Guinea and that is a big fat lie,” said Mr. Wingwafi.

Mr. Wingwafi also added that the retail price of Rigo Rice which was K3.30 per kilogram was more affordable compared to the price of imported rice which were sold at K4 and more for a kilogram.

“From my experience, four years ago the rice produced at Umi in Morobe Province was sold at the factory price of K2.50 a kilogram and the retail price was K4.50 a kilogram. Rigo Rice is selling its rice for K3.30 per kilogram and that is good news especially for an average Papua New Guinean family who can afford that,” said Mr. Wingwafi.

Mr. Wingwafi said he was happy that the Marape-Rosso Government through the Ministry of International Trade and Investment was working to expand Rigo Rice from 250 hectares to 6, 000 hectares and also to further expand to the Sepik Plains.

“I am very happy to work with Rigo Rice Developer and the Ministry of International Trade and Investment to grow and produce our own rice and sell it for an affordable price to our people,” said Mr. Wingwafi.

“Minister for international Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru has been the only one vocal about rice and now he has a team of rice experts and the developer behind him, and the support of the Marape-Rosso Government. Time for talking is now over. We will now see action being taken in the next few months to increase the production of locally produced rice to replace the K900 million worth of rice that we import every year,” said Mr. Wingwafi.

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