Agriculture is backbone of the country, says former Morobe MP

Agriculture is the backbone of the country, says former Markham MP Andrew Baing.
Speaking on Thursday, he said he was impressed that National Agriculture Research Institute (Nari) and Trukai were partnering partner with the Australia government to put in the solar-powered rice milling machinery pilot project.
“Twenty-one years ago, I launched Nari at Travelodge in Port Moresby,” Baing said.
“The policy of the Government at that time was self-reliance. Agriculture is the backbone of PNG.
“I thank the Australian government for being our partners for over 43 years.”
Baing told the people that they should be proud that the pilot project was taking place in Markham. “The solar-powered rice-milling machinery will help us,” he said.
“I want to encourage you to be self-reliant and have food security at heart to be able to feed your family. You must make sure that you have food on the table for your family.
“Marafri (banana) in Markham is affected by diseases so we must look into new food such as rice.
“Markham has produced rice in my village Ragiampum which is called Hamamas Rice.”