Allen wants agriculture to get more attention

MINISTER for Agriculture and Livestock Benny Allan has called for more attention to be given to the agriculture sector.
Allan said this at the opening of the Highlands’ regional consultative workshop on the national agriculture sector plan (Nasp) in Mt Hagen on Thursday.
“I want more attention to be given to the agriculture sector,” he said.
“There should be more budgetary support to enable us to help our 85 per cent population who depend on agriculture for their livelihood.”
Allan said the regional workshop was necessary to get the views of stakeholders, mainly farmers and provincial administrations, in the development of Nasp.
It is aimed at transforming the sector, creating wealth and income-earning opportunities and improved livelihood.
“The Nasp is focused on taking the country forward in the next 10 years,” Allan said.
“It must take into account the issues and challenges affecting the performance of the sector and capture the concerns of farmers.”
Allan said the Nasp must align to the Government’s medium-term development plan III (MTDP III) and all its other policies and plans.
He said the Nasp must also consider the good partnerships with development partners and international donor agencies, and other stakeholders who were supporting agriculture development.
Allan said the expectation of the plan was also to get Government to provide more direct funding to promoting agriculture activities right down to district and village levels.
He said the lead agency in agriculture should be strengthened and provided with more budget support to enable it to perform its mandated roles and responsibilities in supporting agriculture delivery services.
Allan also made reference to the proposed multi-billion kina agro-industrial parks to be established in Eastern Highlands and Western Highlands.