Central to focus on agriculture
THE Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane has applauded moves by the Central provincial government to boost agricultural activities in the province.
Central Governor Alphonse Moroi revealed his government had identified potential markets for crop growing that would encourage people to engage in agriculture activities to sustain their livelihoods.
He said his government had already identified a coffee mill along Lawes Road, Port Moresby, where coffee beans would be milled.
The mill is expected to start operating this week and the first lot of green beans would be exported later this month.
Mr Moroi said agriculture extension officers within the provincial government were sent to various provinces to collect coffee beans for distribution in schools throughout the province.
Under this arrangement, students would be required to take two seedlings home daily for the duration of the school year.
By year’s end, each student would have well over 2,000 coffee trees in their nurseries.
“After three years, when the trees start bearing, students would be able to use the income generated to pay for their school fees,” Mr Moroi said.
He said the provincial government had also identified markets for vanilla, which are being grown in certain villages along the Magi Highway.
Currently, vanilla beans are being used to make spirits and punches.
Mr Moroi said other potential agriculture products include rice, coconut and cassava, with the first export of cassava expected at the end of the year.
He further revealed to the governor-general that sealing of the 20km road from Hisiu to Arapokina along the Hiritano Highway was now underway.
Construction work is being carried out by Global Construction Ltd and Dekenai Construction company.
He said funding for that project was shared between the National Government through the PNG Sustainable Development Programme (PNGSDP), AusAID and World Bank.
He said PNGSDP was also funding scoping and engineering work to identify 10 roads in Goilala, while State-owned entity Petromin, which has exploration licences spread across Goilala, would fund the construction of roads in the area.
The provincial government, on the other hand, will use its Special Support Grant to build bridges along the highway.
Five bridges identified in this project, including the Angabunga Bridge, would be constructed with steel decking, .
Grand Chief Sir Paulias expressed satisfaction at the progress made by the provincial government, and urged the governor to vigorously pursue long-term benefits for the people of Central in the areas of agriculture and tourism.
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