Agriculture eyed as boost for SMEs

AGRICULTURE can provide the bulk of 500,000 small to medium-sized enterprises by 2030, as per the government’s quota, says Small to Medium Enterprises Corporation (Smec) managing-director Steven Maken.
He told The National yesterday that Smec was working on partnerships in that sector.
Maken said it was well-suited to the majority of the rural-based population already involved in agriculture.
“It is timely with the government putting down more resources for the economic sectors like the agriculture sector,” he said.
“Agriculture has been recognised as a key area to try and diversify the economy.
“This is a sector with great potential domestically, when it comes to import replacements and also for international markets as exports.
“SME growth in the country will also rely heavily on this sector, as about 97 per cent of land is held as customary land and owned by our people.
“They are in rural areas and are already involved in agriculture for their livelihoods.”
Maken said Smec was aiming to establish cooperative arrangements and other agricultural business partnerships.
“We are also working with Fresh Produce Development Agency, which is another incentive that is being worked on,” he said.
“We want to see if we can partner them as freight costs are one of the major hindrances to bring fresh produce to the markets.
“We are working with them to have a joint submission to the National Executive Council for that to happen.”
“Since Papua New Guinea had some of the fertile volcanic land that were capable for large-scale farming, agriculture has the potential to generate SME activities.”