Manager highlights lessons from lockdown

THE coronavirus outbreak and its associated impacts have taught us a lesson to change the way we do business in farming, according to Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA).
General manager Mark Worinu said we should grow the economy by producing, supplying and consuming our own products, supported through robust food supply chains in country.
“PNG has the comparative advantage in agriculture,” he said.
“This strength must be embraced and further explored with deliberate investments.
“We have to start it out by taking small steps now and embrace the developments for the next 5-10 years.
“This is critically important for PNG as vast majority of our people indulge primarily on agriculture and particularly food crops.”
Worinu said the horticulture industry including fruits, vegetables, tuber crops, nuts, grains and spices, was estimated to have market value of K2.5 billion.
He suggested that the Government consider:

• To have seeds and planting materials propagated, multiplied, collected/imported, aggregated and distributed to farmers through careful coordination and supply fertilisers, tools and equipment.
• Using new information technology to disseminate information to farmers and other players in the food chain, food production and management;
• A major awareness of food and nutrition security programme;
• Seeing food supplies in villages for marketing to other centres coordinated and delivered;
• Providing subsidies to leading farmers to transport local produce from one location to another;
• Releasing emergency funds to carry out the programme;
• improving the food value chain by investing in infrastructure such as cold storage warehouses in strategic locations to be managed and controlled by the FPDA;
• Improving research and development programmes to improve production and productivity; and,
• Mapping of areas where crop development programmes can be introduced.