Introduce different cash crops

Last Thursday in Parliament, the Gulf Governor gave a speech outlining the gloomy economic outlook his government faced.
He appealed to NCD Governor in his speech to allow Gulf traders to come into NCD to sell their betel nuts.
Betel nut as a commodity has received negative evaluations and restrictions for its sale.
The coronavirus restrictions is one of them and let’s not take the risk to allow its sale.
There are many reasons to which betel nut sale cannot be considered a favourable commodity for the Gulf people.
It is sad that the Gulf government over the years have not introduced different types of cash crops into the province to help the people earn cash.
People have become dependent on one type of basic commodity. How sad it is!
Rice cultivation can be introduced.
In almost every location in Gulf you can grow rice.
There are swampy lands that can be drained of excessive water and low land rice can be grown throughout the year.
We have abundant brackish to fresh water fish that can be prepared in professional way, smoked and brought to markets for sale.
We have coconuts and sago that we can earn money from.
The Gulf government should assist people with resources to bring them to various market locations.
For example, build a warehouse in Port Moresby where people can bring in their goods to store and sell at controlled prices.
Subsidise freight costs.
Betel nut as a commodity does not require intensive labour to grow, harvest and pack.
The demand for betel nut is high because of the high addictive craving people have developed for it.
This is sad and unfortunate and people need to be aware of the health risks of chewing betel nut.
People are willing to work hard to earn their living.
There are places in Gulf where people do not have betel nuts but have sago, coconut, fish, prawns and crabs in abundance.
People in these areas would be ready to bring their produce to the markets.
It’s a matter of the Gulf government stepping up to assist the people of Gulf and not only favouring districts with betel nuts to earn their living.

Gulf Akore