PNG’s agriculture sector surprises regional delegates

BY MARK HAIHUIE
REGIONAL delegates were impressed with Papua New Guinea’s agricultural and fisheries sector while viewing more than 20 exhibitions during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Food Security Week.
Chinese delegate Hao Zhang told The National that the exhibition was a good way to appreciate what they had been discussing in their meetings.
“I really enjoyed the lobsters that are being cooked outside for us to sample and, of course, the stalls of the food products inside are very interesting. Your country has a lot of variety and there is big potential for that to be developed further,” he said. Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Benny Allan also commended everyone involved in setting up the Agriculture Fisheries Food Exhibition that attracted many visiting delegates from the Apec economies.
He was impressed by the level of participation and exhibitions by various groups including SMEs, agricultural companies, commodity boards and agencies, institutions and farmers.
“The turnout has been very good and exhibitors have been discussing and exchanging information with the delegates on a number of issues such as market access, capital, investment, capacity building, training and other possible assistance,” Allan said. “The exhibition is providing an ideal opportunity for PNG companies, producers, exporters, farmers, processors and others in agriculture and fisheries sectors to showcase and hopefully secure further business activities.”
He said more than 200 delegates and officials have arrived in Port Moresby to participate in the Food Security Week.
The Policy Dialogue on Women in Agriculture and Fisheries, Policy Partnership on Food Security, and the 17th High Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology, were the key Food Seecurity Week meetings that have been held.