Agriculture commidity boards lack governance and focus, says minister

By SERAH LAGDOM
Most agriculture commodity boards and agencies in the country are operating without a board and lack governance and focus, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Benny Allan says.
Allan told a press conference in Port Moresby on Tuesday that most commodity boards and agencies were operating either with an interim, fulltime or no board.
“It is very important to have commodity boards so the Government will be able to release funds to the respective agricultural agencies,” he said.
“For example, the Coffee Industry Corporation has a full board that is made up of grower representatives which needs to be reviewed.”
Allan said some commodity boards and agencies had submitted names and were working on the appointment of new boards.
“The Livestock Development Corporation currently has no board and managing director,” he said.
“The Kokonas Indastri Koporesen has an interim board. The National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority has advertised and called for expressions of interest from the sector for the new board.”
Allan said that following the appointment of the new boards, there would be a review of the laws that govern the operations of agencies.