PNG agriculture goes on the world stage

Kuk Kaukau Chips, together with Sirunki Strawberries and Ilimo Gelato Ice Cream, have won the hearts and mouths of the many visitors to the Papua New Guinea pavilion in the World Expo 2020 Dubai, last month, during the Expo Agriculture week.

Sirunki strawberries from Enga. The strawberries were harvested in the Sirunki Farm in Enga province and flown through Port Moresby and Brisbane to Dubai to be served to the visitors to the PNG Pavilion in the World Expo 2020 Dubai, last month, during the Expo Agriculture week. The fresh strawberries were complimented by the Expo 2020 chef for their sweet, strong taste, a bite of PNG Highlands to break the Dubai heat.

The Innovative Agro Industry group (IAI) was invited to the Dubai Expo to present its unique achievement developing agriculture in the country and tell the PNG agriculture story through its products.

The company Executive-Director, Mr. Ilan Weiss, was also invited as a key speaker to the PNG Investment Forum, presenting IAI vision of sustainable agriculture through value chains creation, smart agriculture and community engagement.

In a PNG Cuisine Dinner event arranged by the PNG Pavilion team in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil and delegates, the Kuk Kaukau Chips were served by the Expo restaurant.

Kuk kaukau chips.

While enjoying the great taste, the guests learned the Kuk brand takes its name from the Kuk UNESCO Heritage site in the Highlands, where archaeological evidence of early agricultural drainage systems and crops cultivations thousands of years ago, were found.

IAI business development manager Mrs. Gallit Tamir added: “The Kuk site, and brand name, represents the origin of agriculture.

“Those ancient traditions continue to shape farming as it is today, as organic native crops such as taro and kaukau are used to produce Papua New Guinea’s favourite chips.

Ilimo Gelato ice cream.

“We are proud to tell the PNG agriculture development story and demonstrate the international export capability of our quality, organic Papua New Guinean food produce.”

Sirunki Strawberries and Ilimo Gelato were served to the many visitors that arrived to the PNG pavilion to celebrate the Expo2020 PNG National Day.

The Expo restaurant head chef had praised the high quality and flavour of the products: “It is grown organically, and you can really taste it” he said referring to the strawberries and the chips, “and the ice cream is rich, creamy and soft – real heaven.”

Along the many visitors to the PNG pavilion, there were food and beverage distributers to the UAE that were excited to learn that PNG has much to offer, from coffee and cocoa to fresh and frozen organic produce, spices and vanilla.