Exporters urged to develop sector

LICENSE renewal for exporters of commodities may depend on their contribution towards developing the agriculture sector, Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon says.
During the launching of the cocoa price subsidy in Maprik, East Sepik, last week, Simon also urged exporters to develop the agriculture sector.
“Exporters must contribute to the industry and the sector,” he said.
“That is what we will look into this year.
“Why would you just buy coffee, cocoa, and export, make profit and not contribute to developing the sector?
“Exporters must put money in before we talk about renewing their licences.
“Contribute whether in setting up nursery, extension programme, or even freight support.
Simon urged farmers to keep producing quality output.
“I encourage each district in PNG to set up buying points for their commodities and we will assist them in terms of logistics and exporters,” he said.
The government’s new buying prices include:

• Cocoa: Base buying price of K2.50 per kg to K3 (after price support);
• Red coffee cheery: K1.50 per kg to K2.50;
• Coffee parchment class 1 Arabica: K5.50 per kg to K6;
• Coffee parchment Y1 Robusta: K5 per kg to K5.50;
• Rubber cup lump: K1.50 per kg to K2;
• Copra dry: K1.40 per kg to K2; and,
• Copra white: K2.50 per kg to K3

Prime Minister James Marape said this initiative to subsidise prices of all commodities or cash crops was to revive the agriculture sector.
“This will help farmers as well as increase export volumes and improve the Kina exchange rate and improve income per capita per person,” he said.
“For too long we have relied on grants and loans and this has denied us to be financially independent.”