Unitech students embrace agricultural research during NARI training
Seven Bachelor of Agriculture Science students from the PNG University of Technology [Unitech] have expressed a keen interest in pursuing research careers following a successful six-week industrial attachment.
The Third-Year students completed their practical assessment under the guidance of the National Agricultural Research Institute [NARI] earlier this month.
Five students in Bradley Kenatsi, Peter Nanau, Victor Omot, Lynette Tina, and Georgina Roy, were attached to the Momase Regional Centre’s Livestock, Crop, and Biotechnology Laboratory at Bubia, Morobe. Meanwhile, Mischelle Algua and Tilda Krane Gigil were stationed at the Highlands Regional Centre in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands.
The training covered a diverse range of specialized projects, including:
- Post-harvest processing: Focused on rice production and quality.
- Livestock & Entomology: Poultry hatchery operations and Black Soldier Fly [BSF] farming.
- Pathology: Disease detection and identification in sweet potato and taro.
- Biotechnology: Mass propagation of local [Numkowe] and NARI [NT06] taro varieties.
In Aiyura, students gained hands-on experience in mini-sett techniques for yam and cassava, as well as nodal cutting for sweet potatoes. They also mastered screenhouse management, field plot design, and soil sampling.
Student Victor Omot, who worked within the livestock section, said the experience solidified his vision to become a researcher.
"I have learnt a lot, especially with Black Soldier Fly operations and aquaculture. My vision is to help improve farming practices in PNG in the near future," he said.
Fellow student Georgina Roy, who focused on crop disease detection, said the evolution of agriculture depends heavily on scientific intervention.
"It was encouraging to get feedback from Papua New Guinean scientists. There is so much that can be done to improve how we practice farming through research," she said.
The attachment concluded with formal PowerPoint presentations delivered by the students to their supervisors and NARI scientists.
NARI Principal Scientist [Breeding, Genomics, and Biotechnology] Dr. Caleb Breria commended the cohort, urging them to remember the critical importance of accurate data collection, analysis, and reporting in the scientific process.
NARI management wished the students success as they return to Unitech to complete their final year of study.