Wantok Produce Ltd, and aided by the PNG National Agricultural Research Agency (NARI) he is hoping this container of high quality taro is just the beginning of something much bigger.

Dr. Lautofa McCarthy, a Samoan ear, nose, and throat specialist with over four decades of experience in Papua New Guinea (PNG), has ventured into the realm of agricultural trade to support women farmers in the region.

Through his initiative, Wantok Produce Ltd, in collaboration with PNG’s National Agricultural Research Agency (NARI), the first shipment of high-quality taro from PNG to New Zealand has been successfully facilitated.

In an interview with Don Wiseman, Dr. McCarthy discussed the challenges encountered in kickstarting this trade, emphasizing the distance between PNG and New Zealand and the stringent requirements set by New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industry (MPI).

However, Dr. McCarthy expressed gratitude for the cooperation received from MPI, highlighting the relatively accommodating regulations regarding agricultural imports from PNG.

The inaugural shipment, comprising approximately 12,000 kilograms of taro, signals the beginning of a potentially lucrative trade partnership.

Dr. McCarthy intends to distribute the produce directly to greengrocers across New Zealand, inviting consumers to experience the unique taste and texture of PNG taro, which boasts a variety of flavors and characteristics.

Acknowledging the existing competition from other Pacific nations exporting taro to New Zealand, Dr. McCarthy believes there is significant room for growth, given PNG’s substantial agricultural capacity and population.

With the majority of farmers in PNG being women, Dr. McCarthy underscores the importance of supporting these women, who often face challenges in accessing markets due to infrastructural limitations.

Despite his medical background, Dr. McCarthy is fully committed to his new venture, which aims to expand beyond taro to include other agricultural products.

Wantok Produce Ltd has formed a partnership with NARI to identify and promote the cultivation of high-yield taro species, offering training workshops for women farmers to enhance their agricultural practices.

While Dr. McCarthy continues to engage in medical consulting, his primary focus remains on empowering PNG’s women farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural trade relationships between PNG and New Zealand.

With aspirations for further expansion, Dr. McCarthy’s initiative represents a promising step towards economic empowerment and agricultural development in the Pacific region.