by Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV, Port Moresby
One of Papua New Guinea’s few Food Technologist’s says the country can reap millions, if local industries can manufacture food ingredients.
John Malai says, PNG spends millions in importing ingredients, but there are greater chances in changing that around.
Mr Malai told EM TV News that PNG needs a Post Harvest Processing Centre.
John Malai is one of the country’s think tanks who was involved in setting up big food manufacturing industries in Lae and Port Moresby.
He says, PNG’s agricultural sector has a huge gap in appreciating the work farmers do and keep farmers in the top of the food chain.
John is now residing in Manus, but says the Government must be serious in establishing a Post-Harvest Research Centre, so local farmers can see their produce being manufactured in the country and save more money from going out.
Malai says, PNG has enough food crops that can substitute the huge amount of ingredients the country imports.
PNG imports almost 75% of ingredients to manufacture just one product which costs around K3.3million per year.
Malai believes having a Post-Harvest Processing Centre can have an impact on the country’s economy and drive farmers to produce more.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=KBYGuYJWsOY%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
