Marape optimistic in making agriculture a mainstay for PNG’s ecomony

The need to transform agriculture sector into the backbone of PNG’s economy were amongst some of the top agendas discussed by Prime Minister James Marape during a high-level meeting with agricultural leaders and key stakeholders recently.

Marape said agriculture remains the most sustainable and inclusive path to national prosperity, given the country’s rich land, favorable climate, and natural resources.

The Prime Minister directed leaders from agriculture sector to prioritize lands near ports and major road networks, ensuring that production areas are well-connected to markets.

He urged all provincial and local governments including the Autonomous Bougainville Government, to identify suitable land for large-scale agricultural development.

“Let us focus on areas that are well-connected by roads and ports, ensuring that we can move produce efficiently to both domestic and international markets,” PM Marape said.

Marape outlined a clear and practical economic vision, stating that if one million families each earned a minimum of K10,000 annually from agriculture, the sector alone could contribute K10 billion to PNG’s economy.

“A single bag of coffee sells for K700. If we help a farmer produce 10 to 20 bags per year, they can earn between K10,000 and K14,000 annually. Multiply that by one million families, and the economic impact is transformative,” he explained.

Marape added that the focus must be on exportable crops such as coffee, cocoa, oil palm, and spices, as well as livestock, fisheries, and other high-value agricultural products.

A major theme of the Prime Minister’s address was the need to transition one million families from subsistence farming to cash-based agriculture.

He lamented that too many Papua New Guineans still operate at a basic survival level, depending on small-scale farming without access to market opportunities or financial support.

“Many of our people are already planting taro, yam, cocoa, coconut, and other crops, but they remain in subsistence mode,” he said.

“Our job is to migrate them into commercial farming by providing market access, price incentives, and freight support.”

Prime Minister Marape warned government departments and public servants that inefficiency and bureaucratic delays would no longer be tolerated.

He urged those working in the agriculture sector to embrace urgency and innovation, stating:
“If you are sitting in a fortnightly-paid job and not delivering results, you are in the wrong job. Agriculture is not just about paperwork—it is about making real change in people’s lives.”