Open Letter to the Government of Papua New Guinea

To Whom It may Concern :

Focus on Agriculture, Rice Farming

In the 1880s, rice seeds were brought from china to the central province and Yule island by Catholic missionaries and then to the Madang Province. I am sure back then the early missionaries would not have for seen the great contribution those rice seeds would have made to PNG. By 1918, the Australian Administration was encouraging rice growing.

Today the amount of rice consumed in PNG has doubled. For Most of us especially in rural provincial town’s rice has become a staple food. But let’s look at Rice Farming from another angle.

Over the year’s Lack of Government Funding in Rice Farming has made it impossible for local rice farmer’s to compete with our ever increasing demand. Creating opportunities for overseas market‘s to sell Rice in PNG. All so creating opportunities for Cheep side rice, this is continuing to affect our Rice Industry.
Commercial Rice Growing is Normally Mechanised and produces larger quantities of rice. The current slash and burn farming commonly practised in our current conditions cannot continue under increasing population pressure. I can bare a testimony that rice growing requires much hard work especially to produce in large Areas. I stress that the Government should look at a permanent and suitable farming system to suit our conditions, the new and permanent farming System should also be made in such a way that it could be reviewed future to meet conditions for our Younger generation yet to be born.

The Government must create opportunities for Rice Farming, the only way I suggest is Cuts on Import’s of Rice from Overseas Markets, creating citizens to buy locally grown rice and Strengthen local rice farmers with the necessary equipment and investment possibly soft loan’s, and Grants from Tax payer’s funds, if it needs additional sourcing for funds then it should be done.
Availability of Land. If it need’s that agreements must be made with landowners’ of customary land, then both parties must addressed properly, to prevent future conflicts. If possible involve landowner’s in this Farming practice and providing additional incentives to landowners.

Past Efforts at commercial rice production have often failed because of unsuitable varieties and the wrong milling equipment. The Government must address this with an alternative.

As a Political Activist I will continue to indicate areas of great concern within the country, not just Agriculture but other sector’s depending on matters arising, hoping that as a government you would create special initiatives that would support the Sectors indicated to you. I am sure that if this sector is given more attention there would be greater Confidence in the future of PNG,
I hope that this letter would be given the attention needed, as citizens expect a rapid transformation in the Agriculture Sector.

Kofi Assan
Political Activist
Mangi Tari Blog