Both the public and private sector have come on board to support the staging of the first-ever National Planning Consultative Summit.
The Summit will take place from the 20th to 22nd of March in Lae. It aims to pursue a range of views from both sectors to formulate the Medium Term Development Plan 2018-2022.
National Planning Minister, Richard Maru, today provided an update on preparations towards the National Planning Summit.
So far, Mainland Holdings, LR Group and the National Plantation Management have already indicated their support through a Silver-Level K50,000 support.
Outcomes from the Summit will be used to develop the country’s new four-year Medium Term Development Plan. This plan will look into reviving the agriculture sector in Papua New Guinea and help farmers within the country.
Minister Maru says global experts will be invited to the summit to discuss issues and formulate rehabilitation plans for the agriculture sector.
With the help and support from the global experts into cocoa, coffee, rice, poultry and dairy production, the country can cut down on imports and start producing its own products for local consumption.
Innovative Agro Industry Executive Director, Ilan Weiss, says with the launching of the Ilimo Dairy Products, more milk products will follow.
In the country, there are more than three hundred farms that need to be rehabilitated.
According to Arthur Jones from National Planning Management Agency, the time is right to focus more on local production and move away from imports.
The Summit is expected to feature speakers from neighbouring countries including Australia, India, Malaysia and New Zealand.
The National Planning Consultative Summit will be co-hosted by the Morobe Provincial Government.
