Prime Minister, James Marape has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transforming Papua New Guinea’s agriculture sector following engagements with farmers, agribusinesses and development partners.
He made the engaging tour after the official launch of the AgriConnect programme in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.
Related news: https://www.postcourier.com.pg/pm-marape-engages-with-farmers-and-agribusinesses-in-goroka/
Following the launch event at the University of Goroka this week, Prime Minister Marape was joined by World Bank Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific Felipe Jaramillo and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Vice President for Asia Pacific Sarvesh Suri to interact with farmers and agribusiness representatives who had set up exhibition stalls at the venue.
The Prime Minister and the visiting delegation toured the stalls, where farmers, cooperatives and agricultural enterprises showcased their work across key sectors including coffee, fresh produce, livestock and value-added agricultural products.
Prime Minister Marape said the exhibitions demonstrated the growing energy and entrepreneurial spirit emerging within Papua New Guinea’s agriculture sector.
“What we saw today was the potential of our farmers and agribusinesses when they are given the opportunity to organize themselves, access support programmes and connect to markets,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He noted that the AgriConnect programme was designed to strengthen exactly these types of partnerships by linking farmers, cooperatives, financiers and agribusiness investors across the agricultural value chain.
“Agriculture in Papua New Guinea must move beyond subsistence production into organized, commercially driven agriculture that creates income, exports and employment,” the Prime Minister said.
As part of the programme following the launch, the delegation also visited Las Malo, a local coffee exporter in Goroka to see firsthand how farmer–market linkages can translate agricultural production into real economic value through processing and export.
Prime Minister Marape said the visit highlighted how organized farmer groups and agribusiness partnerships were already helping Papua New Guinea’s coffee industry expand into international markets.
“Coffee remains one of our most important agricultural exports, and what we are seeing here in Eastern Highlands Province shows the potential for agriculture to drive jobs, investment and economic growth across rural Papua New Guinea,” he said.
The Prime Minister said it was important for development partners to see the work being done by Papua New Guinean farmers and entrepreneurs on the ground.
“Our farmers are hardworking and innovative. When we support them with infrastructure, financing and market access, they can transform agriculture into a powerful driver of economic development,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape also thanked the World Bank Group for its continued partnership with Papua New Guinea, noting that cooperation between the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) would help mobilize investment across the agriculture sector.
The AgriConnect programme supports the implementation of Papua New Guinea’s National Agriculture Sector Plan 2024–2033 and forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to create one million jobs and diversify the national economy.
Prime Minister Marape said the engagements with farmers and agribusinesses in Goroka reinforced the Government’s belief that agriculture will remain central to Papua New Guinea’s long-term development.
Related news: https://www.thepngsun.com/inspiring-progress-for-papua-new-guineas-farmers-and-agri-business-sector-pm/
“When our farmers succeed, our villages prosper, our economy grows, and our country moves forward,” Prime Minister Marape said.