AGRICULTURE has the greatest potential to boost individual income and is the only genuine way that Milne Bay people can improve their lives.
Governor for Milne Bay John Luke Crittin said this last week during the passing of a K49.5 million budget for his province.
 He said that agriculture would be the main focus of his Government over the next five years and would impact the people if they worked harder to increase the production of cash crops such as cocoa, coconuts, coffee, nutmeg and other spices and crops.
 Mr Luke said that their hard work would complement his government’s initiatives and incentives to create the right socio-economic environment that would reward the people’s efforts.
 “I want to arrive at a situation where every product that a Milne Bay farmer, fisherman or a forester produces is bought for the local market or for export,” he said.
 Mr Luke said that he was committed to providing extension support through direct funding and personnel.
 He further stated that transportation, storage and marketing to support the local industries would also be facilitated by the Government through the private sector.
Mr Luke has described this initiative in his budget speech as ‘not a dream but reality’ and pointed out that the copra industry that had been supported by his government was already on its way.
He said that he intended to do similar arrangements for other agricultural crops and products bound for export market.
Meanwhile, he has also announced a K10 million development plan that is expected to uplift the industry as well as others through the establishment of a proper port, jetties and store facilities in Sanderson Bay, the key transit access to the province.