Agriculture sector needs action plans, official says

 By SHIRLEY MAULUDU in GOROKA

EASTERN Highlands administrator Solomon Tito says the agriculture sector has lost its focus. 

Speaking during a workshop in Goroka yesterday, he said the industry needed to come up with action plans to drive the sector forward.

“The agriculture extension services in this country have dropped,” he said. 

“The government has lost focus and we need to get the government back on focus. 

“In the 1980s to 1990s, focus was on planning and development. In  1990s to 2000, the agriculture extension services have not been effective despite various interventions by the government. 

“I think the Government is ready to support but we need to come up with action plans and put it to the government for support … plans that will drive this industry forward,” Tito said.

He said Eastern Highlands as a province was one of the great fresh producing provinces in the country. 

But, he said: “Our biggest problem is the market. The opportunity to access market outside of Eastern Highlands.”

He said the transport sector needed improvement to assist local fresh producers from the province. 

“Farmers transport their produce down to Lae and Port Moresby and sometimes they experience problems to sell their produce.

“Farmers not always get value for their produce because when the produce arrive the destinations, they lose their flavour.” 

Tito stressed accessibility to market and quality control were two of the main challenges faced by farmers from Eastern Highlands.