FRESH PRODUCE BAN MUST EXTEND TO TARIFF REFORMS AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION: HFSA

HIGHLANDS FARMERS AND SETTLERS ASSOCIATION INC
P.O.Box 1457, Goroka, EHP, Papua New Guinea
Ph: +675 532 2644 Fax: +675 532 2645 Email: hfsa.png@hotmail.com
Kainantu Festival
P.O.Box 235
Kainantu, EHP
17th August 2015
For immediate release:
PRESS STATEMENT
FRESH PRODUCE BAN MUST EXTEND TO TARIFF REFORMS AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION: HFSA
The President of Farmers and Settlers Association , Wilson Thompson is concerned that the Government is focussed on extractive industries, which are enclave activities to grow our economy but forget about the needs of the small people to sustain their livelihoods. Many smallholder farmers are concerned about the lack of action by the Government to address the failure of the NADP.
We are concerned about the decline in agricultural production and exports that is directly linked to the 85 percent of our population.
However we can see some light with the Minister taking direct action through legislation such as declaration of the Highlands provinces as quarantine area to contain the spread of bee disease and the ban on importation of uncooked poultry products.
We are pleased with the Minister Tomscoll going a step further by banning farm produce that can be produced locally.
We will have ramifications of shortage and price increase due to sudden announcement but these are decisions we must make in short term for the future and commend the Minister. However, his department and relevant agencies must step up their action to disseminate this decision, mobilise farmers extension and training and work along the value chain to ensure the farmers should not be transporter nor seller and they must sell at their farm gate so that he continues to produce.
Mr Thompson said that :
“If the Government is serious about creating 500,000 small entrepreneurs by 2030, we must provide the leadership in the Department of Agriculture & Livestock, Boards and the agricultural commodity and research agencies so they can translate this decision for the benefit of the country with little supply, quality and price increase problems “.
Mr Thompson said that the Agriculture sector should not operates in a vacuum and set the vision, direction and innovation. The ban is welcomed and the next step from dealing with farmers is to reduce the cost of production so that our local produce is not expensive than the banned items.
The bureaucracy must look at reducing the cost of imported farm accessories and chemicals and fertilisers and tools so that the ban can result in import replacement and provide opportunities but also our consumers can pay for affordable, quality and accessible fresh food.
Wilson Thompson, ML
President
Farmset Association Inc
P. O. Box 1457
Goroka, EHP
E-mail: hfsa.png@hotmail.com or wilsonthompson13@gmail.com
Ph. 532 2644 Fax. 532 2645
'HERE TO STAY' est. 1953
+++Incorporating Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association Inc and EH Agriculture Society Inc, National Apiculture Association and Smallholder Coffee Growers +++