While copra price is unsteady, Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Tommy Tomscoll, has announced that the National Government will subsidize copra prices.
This is to help benefit the copra farmers.
Minister Tomscoll made this announcement at the Copra Mill opening in Buka.
Pristine 101 Limited has opened its business doors to Bougainville farmers, buying copra directly and producing oil.
The mill was recently, commissioned by Minister Tomscoll and Bougainville Vice President, Patrick Nisira.
In his speech, Mr. Tomscoll explained the government’s interest on farmers, and now with eyes on agriculture to raise the internal revenue, it is important to provide incentives.
He said Bougainville has been one of the major producers of copra and cocoa in the Asia-Pacific region, with the potential to directly export its produce.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Mr. Nisira spoke on downstream processing as the way forward for agriculture and thanked the company, for their keen interest to assist Bougainville farmers.
So far the mill has attracted copra farmers who have begun producing copra again.
The Farmers and Service Providers Incentive Scheme is also available to supplement their hard work and effort.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=9Yy6CAqQqe8%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
