Company opens second store in Lae

By JIMMY KALEBE
THE opening of Farmset Limited’s second store in Lae on Tuesday is aimed at meeting the increasing demand for agricultural supplies and equipment in Morobe and surrounding provinces, says an official.
Farmset Ltd general manager Warren Hodder said the investment meant the company was trying to help farmers develop their methods and improve their means in the agricultural and livestock sectors.
“The aim of the company is to help farmers, either individual or group, to get the right products, right quality at the right price,” Hodder said.
Farmset was established in the country in 1969 by a farmers and settlers association, and this year marks its 55th year of operations.
Farmset has nine branches nationwide, with one in the Solomon Islands.
Hodder said since its establishment, the company had been supporting local farmers with quality agricultural products.
“We are here to help with the economic growth of the country, support agricultural productivity, job creation and supply necessary support for the agriculture sector in the country,” he said.
Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry president John Byrne, when speaking on behalf of Lae MP and Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, said the future of the country depended on agriculture.
“Developing the agriculture sector is the way forward for this country and Farmset’s establishments here will support the national Government’s aim in this space,” Byrne said.
He said with the country facing economic challenges, the company, through its expansion in a major hub like Lae, showed its commitment to the agriculture sector.
National Agricultural Research Institute (Nari) director-general Nelson Simbiken said agricultural product suppliers like Farmset played a major role in the transformation of the sector.
“Nari will always partner with Farmset going forward to develop agriculture in the country,” Simbiken said.
Meanwhile, Nari was one of the first customers at the new store, buying four tractors during the opening.