Eight modern tractors were officially handed over to the Norikori Rice Project in Obura-Wonenara District, in the Eastern Highlands Province recently.
To mark a significant milestone in Papua New Guinea’s journey into achieving rice self-sufficiency, the Republic of Korea has come onboard with the donation of the eight (8) modern tractors on Thursday, 25 June 2026, thus making a major milestone in the country’s efforts to reduce its dependence on imported rice while creating new opportunities for farmers, rural communities and the national economy.
These tractors were donated by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), while additional modern rice farming machinery and equipment were funded by the National Government through the Department of Agriculture and Livestock.
All the equipments were officially handed over by His Excellency Choi Jong Ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Papua New Guinea, in the presence of Hon. John Boito, Minister for Agriculture, Dr Sergie Bang, Secretary for the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, and Mr. Koren Rokas Maso, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Rice and Grain Board. Also present was Ms. Jeong-Eun Song, KOICA Country Director, a visiting KOICA regional representative, Eastern Highlands Provincial Administrator Mr. Allan Los, other dignitaries including the local-level government presidents, ward councilors, customary landowners, and the Obura-Wonenara people.
The ceremony highlighted the enduring partnership between Papua New Guinea and the Republic of Korea, built on a shared vision of strengthening food security, improving agricultural productivity, creating employment and promoting sustainable rural development.
Speaking during the event, Minister Boito thanked the Government and people of the Republic of Korea and KOICA for their continued investment in Papua New Guinea’s agriculture sector.
He said agriculture remains one of the Marape-Rosso Government’s highest priorities as it seeks to transform the national economy by empowering local farmers to produce more food domestically.
“Every bag of rice we produce here in Papua New Guinea represents income for our farmers, employment for our people and money that stays within our economy instead of flowing overseas through imports,” Minister Boito said.
He added that the Government was committed to accelerating rice development and commercialisation across the country and had appointed Mr.Maso, through a National Executive Council decision, to lead the expansion of the national rice programme.
Minister Boito said future commercial rice operations were expected to be expanded to areas including Unggai-Bena in Eastern Highlands Province, Baiyer in Western Highlands Province, Vanapa and Launakala in Central Province, and the Central Sepik Plains.
He further highlighted that the Norikori Rice Project would serve as a national demonstration center, showcasing modern mechanised farming, farmer training, technology transfer and commercial rice production techniques that could be replicated throughout Papua New Guinea.
The newly delivered machinery is expected to improve every stage of rice production, from land preparation and planting to harvesting and post-harvest processing. It will also allow the project to increase production while providing practical training for farmers from across the country.
