WNB oil palm growers badly hurt by rains

THE oil palm sector in West New Britain province has been hard hit by continuous rains since last October.Destructions have been caused to road and bridge infrastructure which affected small oil palm growers within the Bialla district.Small growers were unable to sell fresh fruit bunch (FFB) and were deprived of income to pay for various needs including school fees.Between January and March this year, some growers especially from Silali, Tiauru and some parts of central Nakanai areas lost their palm produce as road networks were destroyed, thus preventing the delivery of FFB to the Hargy mill in Bialla.Temporary civil works carried out on roads recently was a relief to the affected growers as fruit trucks had gradually accessed the growers’ harvests for the month of April.Small oil palm growers were relieved of their anxieties when FFB delivery trucks picked up their produce which enabled them to earn hard cash.