Expanding economy to benefit fresh food sector

 AN expansion in the economy next year will also mean more demand for food.
This was stressed yesterday by Fabian Chow (pictured), chairman of the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA).
He said the food industry and commercial farmers including fresh food producers could expect a growth opportunity in an expanding economy.
Speaking at the two-day inaugural horticulture value chain conference in Port Moresby, Chow said the government was aware of the urgent need to improve the lot of small fresh food producers.
“The government knows that the farmers need help to participate in the modern economy.”
But before this, Chow said local producers need all the necessary help to succeed in their farming activities so that the interest in farming could be sustained.
“They don’t need cash handout but instead, they need basic education in commercial agriculture alongside management skills and they need to attend workshops for basic commercial skills and basic infrastructure.”
Chow said the modern and changing global market would definitely have an impact on PNG fresh food producers.
“The times are getting better for the commercial farmers because opportunities are opening up for the better.
“The times are getting better as the country develops because economy has improved along with the growing global economy.”
Chow said as the economic benefits grew, demand for local fresh produce would also grow.
“Demand for food is going to grow as the economy grows,” he said.
It was also noted during the conference that as the mining and petroleum sector in the country continued to grow, the demand for fresh food produce from this sector would also rise.
And there would be stricter requirement for quality fresh produce especially from the catering business.