AGRICULTURE, FOUNDATION OF PNG

CAPTION: Grow Hariap Organic Fertilizer owner Mr Christopher Tep

BY MARTINA TAKANENG
GROW Hariap Organic Fertilizer owner Christopher Tep is calling for a return to roots, identifying agriculture not just as a backbone for Papua New Guinea, but as the very foundation of the nation’s survival and economic future.

Speaking on the Nasfund FM100 Talkback show yesterday, Mr Tep said that agriculture’s role extends far beyond farming; it is the primary engine for food security and self-employment.

Tep highlighted that for the industry to grow, the country must focus on mechanization and downstream processing turning raw crops into finished products.

He added that back then, vital infrastructure specifically port facilities for shipping were maintained by the government. This served even the most rural areas along the coastline, allowing for the transport of bulk cargos throughout the country.

Tep emphasised that by fixing these transport links and using modern machinery, PNG can return to being a top agricultural exporter.