K3mil given for freight subsidy plan

The National National

A TOTAL of K3 million has been provided by the Government to help pay freight charges for fresh produce and vegetables to Port Moresby, an official says.
Department of National Planning and Monitoring acting secretary Michael Kumung said the freight subsidy scheme for farmers in the Highlands and Morobe had improved the sale of fresh produce in the nation’s capital.
“From reports in the last 14 days, 650 dry containers with dry goods and 289 vegetable containers were brought in,” he said.
Kumung said the department had issues where farmers complained of the excessive supply
of fresh produce into Port Moresby but it was not the
Government’s responsibility to control the price of fresh produce in markets.
“The Government agreed to assist farmers and allow the markets to adjust in the Covid-19 situation,” he said.
He said the scheme also encouraged business houses such as City Pharmacy Ltd to buy direct from the shippers.
Kumung said from the 914 containers, one container held 110 bags of produce and the volume of cargo shipped had helped farmers generate an income.

2 comments

  • Can the Department PLEASE continue this shipping subsidy program into the next year 2021.
    Those of us using this program are very fortunate it is assist us in big way to make some money
    to sustain us

    Good on you

  • I am continuing to add that the people who are most benefiting are the grassroots and
    the self employed. I estimate that more then 10,000-20,000 people are benefiting from
    the farmer and his/her household, to the middle person and his household, and people like
    me and my household.
    I am told that this is the best approach the govt is taking especially coming out of
    the Covid challenges.
    in fact I have 2 sons working but lost their jobs during the Coivd
    period and are self employed in this exercise.

    And once again this program must continue, and we demand it.

    GOD bless the department.

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