Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended and pledged financial support for a community-based agro stock development initiative in Nogoli, Tari-Pori District, describing it as a practical model for rural economic empowerment through agriculture and livestock development.
The Tari-Pori District Development Authority (DDA) has committed K500,000 towards the locally owned and operated Trans Wonderland Agrostock Industry Project, which aims to benefit surrounding communities and nearby districts across Hela Province.
Prime Minister Marape announced the support during his visit to Nogoli, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to strengthening local agriculture, livestock production and rural participation in the national economy.
He said the project — driven by Hela landowner company Trans Wonderland Limited — represents the type of community-focused investment needed to build sustainable livelihoods and long-term economic independence for rural Papua New Guineans.
“This project started by our local landowner company is very important because it is community-support oriented. It will help our people participate meaningfully in business and food production,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Trans Wonderland agro stock initiative will establish a pig hatchery and organised commercial piggeries aimed at domesticating pigs for structured market supply. Pork products will be sold to supermarkets in Tari, local businesses and individual buyers.
The project will also introduce modern agricultural technologies combined with traditional farming knowledge. This includes the use of specialised machinery to grind and ferment locally grown sweet potato (kaukau) into nutritious pig feed. The locally produced feed will be blended with mill-produced supplements to ensure balanced nutrition, while significantly reducing dependence on expensive imported feeds.
Prime Minister Marape said the initiative aligns closely with his broader development plans for the Tari-Pori District, including the proposed establishment of a dedicated kaukau market within the existing Tari Market.
The market will allow farmers from across the district to sell produce in bulk, creating a stable supply chain linking crop farmers directly to livestock producers.
“The K500,000 allocation is price-support funding and not a free handout to the Trans Wonderland agro stock business initiative,” the Prime Minister emphasised.
Chief Executive Officer of Trans Wonderland Limited, Mr Larry Andagali, said the piggery will directly purchase kaukau from local farmers and process it into its own livestock feed, enabling efficient and sustainable pig production.
He said this approach will significantly reduce operational costs while providing farmers with a reliable and guaranteed market for their produce — a major challenge for rural growers who often struggle to sell excess crops at open markets.
Prime Minister Marape added that the project will play a critical role in improving household incomes across the district by offering farmers fair and consistent earnings.
Instead of villagers returning home with unsold kaukau or earning minimal daily returns at the Tari Market, farmers will now have the opportunity to sell larger volumes directly to Trans Wonderland Agrostock Limited, enabling stronger cash flow to support family needs, education and basic living costs.
The initiative is expected to strengthen food security, reinforce traditional livestock practices and expand commercial agriculture opportunities, while promoting broad-based community participation in sustainable agribusiness development across Hela Province and the Highlands region.