Prosperity lies in local produce: MP

PAPUA New Guinea’s prosperity lies in commercially producing local food to replace the billions of kina spent on imports, says Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru.
In a business update of the multi-million kina Sepik Plains Farm, he said the downstream process would add value to cocoa, copra, coffee, fish and agricultural commodities, creating wealth for local farmers.
“The initial phase of the farm is still under construction,” he said.
“The Covid-19 has caused lengthy delays through disruptions in the international logistics supply chain and lockdowns.
“The full construction is expected to be completed around the end of July this year.
“The farm when completed will produce eggs, chicken meat, day-old chickens and stock-feed.
“A clean-dry industrial cocoa fermentary is also under construction at the farm.
“This facility will buy wet cocoa beans and process them using the clean-dry method for direct export to the European market.”
“This is our deliberate strategy to improve the cocoa quality, cut out middlemen exporters that profit at the sweat and toil of our farmers, and secure premium prices.”