Farmers urged to set up groups

FARMERS who are organised into corporate groups will be able to participate meaningfully in the Government’s agriculture programmes, an official says.
Commodity Board secretary Francis Tavatuna said this on Friday in East New Britain during the launch of 86 agriculture, livestock and fisheries cooperative society farmers group for Rabaul, Gazelle and Kokopo.
The launch is in line with the Government’s plan to develop agriculture, livestock and fisheries through improved participation.
Tavatuna said the presentation of the certificates (to the farmers) was in accordance with the Cooperative Society Act of 1985.
“This is not a new thing. We are complying with the Government’s plan on agriculture, livestock and fisheries for farmers to get involved and partner with the Government so we can stop some imports from overseas by 2025 and our farmers can go back to their land and make money from it,” he said.
Tavatuna said dependence on the importation of rice, oranges and meat could be offset by local farmers.
He added that local farmers needed to increase production of cocoa, copra and other cash crops to export overseas to bolster the national economy.
Tavatuna said the LDC Kurakakaul project was under renovation and would be commissioned for use soon.