Simon tells farmers to grow more potatoes

POTATO farmers in Southern Highlands must grow potatoes on a larger scale that will encourage the Government to reduce imports of potato products from other countries, says Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon.
Simon was responding to Southern Highlands Governor William Powi’s appeal to give priority to local potato farmers by cutting down the imports of potato products and subsidising prices during the launch of potato and livestock projects on Thursday at Wasu village in the Nipa-Kutubu.
“If we all put our heads together and start farming potato, then this will make the government to make some decisions to cut down on the imports. Without that, the government cannot go ahead and make a quick decision,” he said.
“Decisions to address the poor potato price will depend on people’s maximum output, so farmers now have the duty to farm their land.”
Simon said potato took three months to grow to maturity and he would be back in the province during the harvest season to see if people had taken the initiative to farm their land and if their output would convince him to make some changes in the imports of potato products.
National Planning Minister Rainbo Paita said the call by the people of the poor price was a genuine call and he would support Minister Simon and Governor Powi to make sure the people’s concerns were addressed.
However, he said it would depend on the country’s ability to produce enough quality product to satisfy local demand.