Agriculture seen as driver for future economic growth

AGRICULTURE is a driver of future economic growth in Papua New Guinea, says Australian consul-general in Lae Paul Murphy.
He was speaking at the handover of the solar-powered rice-milling equipment at Wampit village in Huon Gulf, Morobe, on Saturday through the Australian Incentive Fund. Two days earlier the same type of equipment was presented to farmers at Mutzing in Markham Valley.
Murphy said Australia was committed to support economic development and opportunities for people in rural areas where 85 per cent of the population lives.
He said the solar-powered rice-milling equipment was a K2.5 million project
“We’re handing out 70 of these set-ups across Morobe in line with the PNG Government’s plan for food sustainability and food security,” Murphy said.
“It’s also important for income and for economic opportunity.”
The rice mills will help increase domestic rice production in Morobe. Trukai Industries Ltd will be supporting the project by providing a market for milled rice.
Another important partner in the project is PNG Women in Agriculture, an organisation that is ensuring increased access for women and girls to new technologies in agriculture.
Women farmers will not only have opportunities to increase their income through selling their milled rice, but also opportunities for skills training for maintenance of the equipment.