Increasing Mekeo Rice
p. 35 · Read in the full issue
Production
From Our Own Correspondent
Moresby, July 20.
A STEP-UP of rice production in the Mekeo area of Papua is hoped for following recent staff reorganisation there.
Production of rice is to be directed jointly by the District Commissioner of the Central District, Mr. S. Elliott-Smith, and the Director of Agriculture, Mr.
R. E. P. Dwyer.
The DC will be in charge of pro duction, processing and marketing of all rice, which will include out put from both mechanised produc tion and individual village plots.
The Agricultural Department will supervise the technical side of pro duction, and will have , two Agri cultural Extension Officers working in the Mekeo.
Rural Progress Societies of the Mekeo are to be replaced gradually by co-operative organisations which will handle the buying, processing and marketing of rice.
There are to be five European officers working in the district in connection with the rice production scheme, and at present preparations are under way for the planting season.
It has been proved that the
Mekeo can produce rice, and the new system will be watched with interest to see if this area can be come the “rice bowl” of Papua.
Output of Bulolo Gold Dredging, Ltd., increased by 49 per cent, for the year ended May 31, 1953; 118,495 oz gold was won from 16,901,200 cubic yards of gravel. Value was 4,147,325 US dollars.
American Cessna aircraft are popular with New Guinea Missions The Lutheran Mission at Madang has one in use and is bringing another from the United States shortly, also a Piper Pacer. Two other Cessnas have been ordered from America, one for the Catholic Mission at Alexishafen, and the fourth for Bishop Arkfeld of the Wewak Catholic Mission.