The agriculture sector will be a priority for the current Government from next year onwards.
Treasury Minister, Patrick Pruaitch, announced this during the Functional and Expenditure Review Report for agriculture commodity boards and agencies, held in Port Moresby today.
Minister Pruaitch said revenue flow through the LNG and mining projects will increase the GDP to a record of 21 per cent next year, which PNG is proud of, but significant attention must be given to regain the agriculture sector.
Minister Pruaitch said the country is experiencing good fortune, however, the Government must be vigilant and not neglect investing in the renewable agriculture sector, which supports the livelihoods of the majority of our rural people.
He said the current government will ensure that adequate and consistent level of funding will flow to the agriculture sector in 2015 and beyond.
Mr Pruaitch also points out that the agriculture sector currently contributes an average of 31.6 per cent of the total national GDP. However, in return, it only receives 1.1 per cent of the total direct government funding.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Tommy Tomscoll, said the productivity in all agricultural commodities continues to decline except for oil palm and tea.
He said the findings and the thirty-three recommendations of the Functional and Expenditure Review report, which was presented to the NEC on 1st of May this year, was highly recommended and will help reform the department and its delivery mechanism.
