A trout farmer in Southern Highlands Province has called on the Agriculture Department and National Fisheries Authority to support local farmers, and grow the industry.
The farmer says, if the government is banning imports, there must be interventions to support trout farming.
He raised the concern following the government’s move to ban poultry products and protect local farmers.
Like many other trout farmers around the country, Barry Mini wants to develop and grow the trout farming industry.
This huge piece of swamp land has been identified has as a potential area for farming trout.
But his attempts to seek government intervention over the past 5 years have left him disappointed, but it hasn’t deterred him.
He says, if the government is serious about protecting and helping local farmers, processes must begin to grow PNG’s trout industry.
Barry says, constraints faced by trout farmers can be addressed if government helps through the relevant agencies.
Recently the agriculture minister said, the aim of the ban is to grow and support local farmers.
The momentum for trout farming in Upper Mendi is progressing but lack of support has seen farmers turn to other farming activities.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=dawhLB93Sxc%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
