Agriculture a sleeping giant

THE agriculture industry is a sleeping giant that can be awakened to fully maximise the potential of our great land.
With our rich weather and climate, Papua New Guinea can become a major exporter of coffee, cocoa, oil palm and many more cash crops.
We have the ability to produce most of the agriculture products that we are currently importing.
We have a lot of fertile land that holds billion-dollar potential for agricultural use.
I believe the revenue that can be generated and the employment the agriculture industry can provide would be more than that provided by mining or any other industries.
So much has been said about developing the agriculture industry in the country but not much has been emphasised on how to achieve that goal.
Agriculture will sustain the PNG economy both today and in the future when our non-renewable resources run out.
To sustain our economic growth and to further encourage the growth prospects of the country, the agriculture sector needs to be adequately funded and developed.
This has the potential to lift many thousands of rural people out of poverty and also has the potential to instigate develop-
ment in other sectors of the economy.
The core problem of widespread poverty, growing inequality and rapid population growth, all originate in the stagnation and often retrogression of economic life in rural areas of PNG.
If development is to take place, it has to start with the agriculture industry where it is rural-based.
Rising income from agriculture is important as it boosts income levels and employment in the country. Growth in agriculture productivity can reduce poverty as well as bring in more revenue for both the government and many rural farmers, who make up the majority of the population in the country.
Increasing yields in the agriculture outputs is vital for realising sufficient food for domestic consumption, exports and for food processing as well as addressing food security issues. It also increases nutrition levels, increases agriculture outputs and reduces imports dependency.
Research and development
(R &D) in agriculture is the most important means to increase the productivity of the industry in the country. R&D includes funding and working in the areas of pest and disease control, generation of new seed varieties including new breeding methods, and research in new and improved methods of food production.
Thanks to Ilimo Dairy Farm which put in much effort to produce milk in the country.
This will provide employment and save foreign currency.
Government intervention is crucial in this area in encouraging and supporting agricultural development.
This requires combined investments in marketing and transportation, making exports competitive on the world market as well as sourcing international markets for our agricultural products.
The agriculture industry lies on the extent of government funding in agri-business and research and development.

Napam Richard
Port Moresby