Maru bats for fruit and veggie industry

 THE horticulture industry has the potential to grow the economy given its current market value of K3 billion from an estimated 1.3 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables being produced annually, Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru said.
Speaking at the launch of the first horticulture value chain conference yesterday, he urged the industry to unite and develop a plan in partnership with the government.
Maru said the lack of such a plan would make it difficult for the government to adequately support the growth and development of this industry, which was the single biggest employer industry in Papua New Guinea.
He said the plan should include the role of the transport sector, including roads and the airline Industry.
 “Where do we align and how do we support the transport sector?
 Maru stressed that the whole value chain needs to be understood so everybody or sectors will know where they fit into the plan.
The plan should indicate that over the next five years we should try and replace imports with our local produce, he said..