Team hailed for implementing project

THE Market for Village Farmers project team has been commended for implementing the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD)-funded project in the six selected provinces.
The provinces were Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, Morobe and East New Britain.
Department of Agriculture and Livestock secretary Daniel Kombuk told the project steering committee meeting in Goroka last week that agriculture would remain as the biggest supplier of food and vegetables to local markets.
It also produces export commodities such as cocoa, coffee, copra and oil palm.
“We have export commodities like cocoa, coffee and oil palm but when it comes to horticulture, our rural people are directly involved,” Kombuk said.
“We need to improve their markets so they are able to improve their farming businesses from subsistence farming to semi-commercial and commercial entities, ultimately improving their livelihoods.”
Project manager Robert Lutulele said the project was initiated by the department in 2013.
It requested the IFAD consider a soft loan funding arrangement of 25 years for a project that would contribute to improving the fresh produce value chain system in PNG.