MP calls for support

AGRICULTURE and Livestock Minister John Simon met with key agency heads in Goroka on Thursday to discuss food security during the Covid-19 state of emergency.
He met with Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) general-manager Mark Worinu, Livestock Development Corporation chief executive officer Terry Koim, and Department of Agriculture and Livestock secretary Daniel Kombuk to discuss the pressing issue.
This follows concerns raised by Prime Minister James Marape about food security during this Covid-19 period.
Simon said he needed the support of all agriculture agencies during this time of crisis.
“The distribution chain, which connects the farmers to the market, needs to be addressed urgently,” he said.
“There is a lot of food, a lot of vegetables, which are up there in the Highlands but just need to get to market.
“We will work on that over the next few weeks.”
Simon said he would discuss with National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop about opening a big vegetable market in Port Moresby.
“We have a lot of food sitting out in the districts, being produced by farmers, which need to come out to market,” he said.
“We’ll need the support of FPDA. I’m happy that all our agriculture agencies are now thinking along the same lines.”