Alotau MP Ricky Morris has issued a strong call to young people to “get their hands dirty through agriculture” and transform their future, warning that idling in town and endless scrolling on social media will not deliver prosperity.
Mr. Morris made the remarks while officiating at the opening of the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea (CBPNG) field office in Alotau last week— the first such office established in the country.
The initiative was supported by the Alotau District Development Authority (ADDA), which contributed K50,000 towards the establishment of the office.
Addressing provincial leaders, farmers, business houses, youths, families and CBPNG officials, Mr. Morris said the opening marked a milestone for cocoa development in Milne Bay and signaled a renewed push towards agriculture as a sustainable economic driver.
“Crime and laziness do not pay. Unproductive scrolling and texting on social media won’t pay you, and lazing around Alotau town won’t pay you,” Mr. Morris said. “It’s getting your hands dirty through agriculture that will reward you and change your life.”
He said with more than 94 per cent of land under customary ownership, 80 per cent of the population living in rural areas and over half of the population made up of youths, Papua New Guinea was well positioned to grow wealth through renewable sectors such as cocoa.
Mr. Morris said the new CBPNG office would address long-standing isolation faced by farmers by improving access to technical information, extension services and markets.
“Knowledge is power. Information will liberalize our farmers,” he said.
He also announced ongoing government support for cocoa farmers, including the continuation of seed distribution in the district, targeting 500,000 cocoa seedlings this year, and plans to build fermentarians in every cocoa-producing ward.
Calling on youths to take responsibility for their future, Mr. Morris urged them to utilize their land productively.
“Land plus labor plus working capital equals success,” he said. “Plant cocoa, coconut, vanilla and coffee — these are small steps towards a secured future.”
Mr. Morris said Milne Bay may not produce the largest volumes, but he was confident the province could deliver the best quality cocoa in the country.