Unlocking Commercial Opportunities in the Taro Value Chain in the Markham Valley

A major step forward for potential taro value chain opportunities took place in the Markham Valley with a presentation by Sprout Economics, facilitated by Grow PNG Ltd at the Australian Consulate in Lae. The session shared key findings from Sprout Economics’ recent study on the taro value chain, highlighting opportunities to transform taro farming into a commercially viable and sustainable industry.

The presentation followed a 10-day field visit across Lae and the Markham District, part of Grow PNG’s ongoing efforts to unlock agricultural opportunities and promote inclusive economic development in the region.

A Session Marked by Stakeholder Engagement

The presentation brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including:

• Farmer representatives

• Muruk Tropical Produce (taro exporter)

• Markham District Development Authority

• Morobe Provincial Administration

• Australian Consulate – Lae

• Markham Cooperative Society

Their participation highlighted the shared commitment to advancing taro production as a commercially sustainable enterprise in the valley.

During the session, Sprout Economics presented an overview of the taro value chain — from production, pre-harvest practices, and processing to marketing and export — while outlining critical challenges and actionable recommendations for farmers, agribusinesses, and policymakers.

Key Findings and Recommendations

• Underperforming taro farmers: A significant gap exists between potential and current output.

• Pre-harvest challenges: Improved land preparation, planting methods, and access to quality inputs are needed.

• Scaling through smallholders: Organising and engaging smallholder farmers is essential for achieving commercial viability.

• Capacity building: Farmers require structured training, technical support, and guidance to adopt modern practices.

• Industrial farming potential: The Markham Valley’s conditions are favorable for large-scale, industrialised farming.

• Mechanisation and irrigation: Critical for boosting productivity and efficiency.

• Crop rotation and intercropping: Integrating other cash crops improves sustainability and soil health.

• Processing opportunities: Mechanising taro processing is feasible and necessary to meet growing commercial demand.

• Export market opportunities: Rising demand from Australia and international markets creates new revenue streams.

• Market development: Strengthening B2C and B2B channels is essential to ensure reliable supply chains.

  
  

Building Farming as a Business

The session underscored a key takeaway: farmers must begin to see farming as a business. All recommendations are designed to build a commercialised and industrialised taro industry at scale, unlocking economic opportunities for farmers, strengthening household incomes, and fostering broader regional development.