Agriculture needs more funds

THE passing of the National Budget was not debated upon by the Opposition.
It has support from the Government MP who had attended Parliament.
The budget was well received by the public with no debate concerning the breakup.
However, there were few areas the Government had missed out on or had given little attention to.
The Government needs to allocate more funding to the Agriculture and Livestock Department.
The department was allocated K48 million.
With the Government’s aim to focus on agriculture, the funds allocated doesn’t really show it.
Many issues were left unattended by past governments concerning agriculture.
Many Papua New Guineans rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.
With limited funding towards agriculture, it’s hard to contain people back in the village as there is no agricultural initiatives going on in their electorates.
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock John Simon mentioned that more than K50 million was needed to revive some agriculture and livestock ventures which had gone to near extinction.
A clear example he stated was the cattle ranching which was fast into existence nationwide.
Cattle ranching will help save PNG about K300 million annually.
PNG has spent almost all the money on buying meat products such as lamb, beef, pork and other dairy products since independence.
Most of our export earnings have been shifted to non-renewable commodities such as oil, gas, copper, gold etc.
Cattle ranching and other agriculture sectors such as coffee and cocoa needs more attention.
By going back and reviving our agriculture and livestock ministry, the Government will help alleviate the people and country from poverty.
I know the Marape-led Government is very keen in making Papua New Guinea the food hub in the region.
The only way forward is to have our focus on the ministry that is responsible and that is through the agriculture and livestock department.
By giving sufficient funding to dying ministry, Simon would perform his role to the highest possible expectations.
Our export earnings will increase, more jobs will be created and we will save a lot of money for other services.

Maru Igabi