A new type of crop cultivator has been introduced in Central Province to help reduce intensive labour on farms.
Rural development extension officer Vana Gabriel Gabi has been promoting this tool in Rigo, Central Province for some time, in the hope of helping farmers to cultivate their land with less difficulty.
Mr. Gabi said the simple Hand Push Type Cultivator was designed and fabricated to address difficulties faced by farmers and schools in land preparation, weeding, soil cultivation, and ridging.
He said the objective was to help farmers improve their efficiency by using a simple labour and cost-saving cultivator that is appropriate for use in rural areas.
Mr. Gabi said rice and vegetables are staple foods in Papua New Guinea but rice is imported from overseas.
“Vegetables and rice are cultivated manually with traditional tools. Weeding is done by hand and with a small spade. This method contributes to more labour,” he said.
The objective of this Hand Push Cultivator is to reduce labour, increase production, and improve working conditions of small-scale farmers in Papua New Guinea.
Main factors considered in developing the cultivator were that;
- the materials needed are locally available,
- the tool is easy to operate,
- it is easy to make in rural areas and,
- it is easy to carry around.
The Hand push type cultivator consists of two different farming tools, the soil cultivator/ weeder, and the ridging tool.
A simple fabricated cultivator was attached to the steel wheel in front of the cultivator and local farmers were given the opportunity to test- drive it after the trainer demonstrated its use.
Mr. Gabi said upon completing a small-scale rice and vegetable extension service delivery, a farmer’s field day was held at Boregaina Village, Ward 17, Rigo Central LLG (Local Level Government) in Rigo District.
Logistical support was provided by Rigo District Administration Agriculture sector.