MULITAKA YOUTHS LAUNCH TALAPIA FARMING SUCCESS, DRIVES KOCAL ECONOMIC GROWTH

CAPTION: Youths from the Mulitaka Youth Cooperative Society in the Maip-Mulitaka LLG of Pogera-Paiela District harvest fresh talapia fish.

By MORTIMER YANGHARRY

THE Mulitaka Youth Cooperative Society has successfully completed its Tilapia Fish Farming Project, marking a key step in creating sustainable economic opportunities for local youths in the Maip-Mulitaka LLG, Pogera-Paiela District.

Spokesperson Jericho Soto said the project currently operates five fish ponds, each measuring about 25 metres long, 16 metres wide, and 0.8 metres deep.

Soto mentioned that as part of recognising and appreciating the support and contributions made toward the development of their community, some of the first harvest of the talapia fish were presented to some representatives from the New Porgera Limited (NPL), Enga governor Sir Peter Ipatas and Pogera-Paiela Open MP Gidron Maso Karipe.

“This achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished when our youths work together with commitment, vision and community support,” Soto said.

He said the Mulitaka Youths Cooperative Society plans to construct a fish hatchery that will enable them to produce and supply fish fingerlings locally to community members and youths who wish to participate in fish farming.

He mentioned that through this initiative, they aim to create employment and income opportunities for youths while encouraging young people to participate in sustainable agriculture and aquaculture.

Soto is determined that they will supply affordable talapia fingerlings to local farmers and establish a sustainable fish-farming industry in the Maip-Mulitaka LLG, Pogera-Paiela District and Enga Province as a whole.