Executive calls for security boost

By PETER ESILA
A COMPANY has urged the Government to urgently put in place a protocol to allow the secure and safe transportation of food along the Highlands Highway.
Innovative Agro Industries (IAI) chairman Ilan Weiss told The National that food supplies needed to reach Lae and Port Moresby during the Covid-19 state of emergency.
“Primarily for potatoes, onions to reach the Port Moresby market, and in the opposite direction, the supply of dairy products to the Highlands,” he said.
“There are early indications that stocks are low in Port Moresby.
“We ourselves are very low on potatoes which are a staple food and hope that the transport issues will be cleared soonest. The demand for our products and produce has increased and we are working hard to meet the demand and to provide the essential staple food to the public.”
Weiss said all their farms remained in operation with Covid-19 preventive measures in place.
“These include 9-Mile, Ilimo, Hela AIC, Enga AIC (Agro Industrial Centre), SHP AIC (Agro Industrial Centre) and Tabubil AIC (Agro Industrial Centre),” he said.
“The only exception is our potato-buying point in the Hagen market which is closed.”
Weiss said everyone was facing “challenging times”.
“We have from the commencement of business in PNG close to a decade ago advocated for the country’s self-sufficiency and food security,” he said.
“This requires a two-fold approach: increasing capacity by modernising the agriculture sector and protecting and advancing the small scale farmers which remain the backbone of agriculture production.”
Weiss said these vegetable gardens are essential.