Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended the Department of Agriculture and its affiliated commodity boards for their significant progress in 2024, reinforcing agriculture as a key pillar of Papua New Guinea’s economy. He made the commendation after a meeting with Agriculture, Coffee, Livestock and Oil Palm ministries and their agency heads on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
“Your government remains steadfast in its commitment to building a self-sufficient and export-driven agriculture sector that will create jobs, support SMEs, and enhance food security. I commend the leadership of Minister Hon. John Boito, Secretary Dr. Sergie Bang and the hard work of the department in strengthening policy frameworks, attracting major investments, and expanding production in key agricultural commodities,” said Prime Minister Marape.
The Department of Agriculture and its commodity boards achieved significant milestones in 2024, despite challenges such as budget constraints.
1. Strengthening Policy, Governance & Strategic Planning
• Successfully launched the National Agriculture Sector Plan (NASP) 2024-2033.
• Completed the Corporate Plan 2024-2028 to guide sustainable growth.
• Progressed key legislation, including:
o National Agriculture Administration (NAA) Bill o Spice Industry Policy 2025-2030
• Implemented an Independent Staff Performance Appraisal & Reform, leading to restructuring and efficiency improvements.
2. Securing Critical Investments & Strengthening Partnerships
• Secured US$60 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for fresh food systems and market infrastructure.
• Negotiated a US$350 million extension of the World Bank’s PACD Project for agricultural development.
• Strengthened partnerships with FAO, IFAD, and ACIAR in areas such as soil mapping and market development.
3. Commodity Boards: Boosting Production & Value Addition
Coffee & Cocoa
• Increased coffee production by 10% annually since 2021, contributing to foreign exchange earnings.
• Achieved 41,000 tonnes of cocoa exports, generating K1.2 billion in forex.
• Increased fine flavour cocoa status to 80%.
• Established new Cocoa Extension Offices in Kundiawa and Port Moresby to support farmers.
Horticulture & Fresh Produce (FPDA)
• Strengthened PNG’s fresh produce industry, valued at K3 billion, with a focus on import replacement.
• Trained 6,008 farmers and formally profiled 550 farmers.
• Allocated K20.5 million in 2024 to support potatoes, onions, and downstream processing.
Livestock & Biosecurity (NAQIA)
• Successfully contained African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Highlands, protecting the pork industry.
• Launched the Electronic Import/Export and Cargo Clearance System, modernising trade facilitation.
• Finalised the Biosecurity Bill, set for enactment in 2025.
Coconut Industry
• Increased copra production by 16% to 88,894 metric tonnes (MT).
• Increased copra oil (CNO) production and export by 28% to 22,302 MT.
• Increased copra meal production and exports by 41% to 12,823 MT.
• Increased virgin coconut oil (VCO) production and sales by 45% to 69.51 MT.
• Earned K250 million in total export revenue from coconut products.
• Completed the first national coconut census, confirming:
o 16.8 million coconut trees nationwide
o 94,974 hectares under coconut cultivation
o 533,514 households engaged in coconut farming, supporting over 3 million people
• Replanted 1,485 hectares in 2024 despite budget cuts.
• Strengthened value-added coconut product development, including:
o Coconut flour
o Coconut oil-based beauty products o Coconut husk fibre processing
Rubber & Spice Industries
• Advanced rubber road technology, integrating rubberised asphalt for better infrastructure.
• Finalised the Spice Industry Development Plan (2025-2028), with market expansion for cardamom, vanilla, and turmeric.
• Secured World Bank PACD funding for spice value chain expansion.
Rice & Grain Development
• Identified a K2.4 billion potential rice market, prompting major investments in local production.
• Established PNG’s first National Rice & Grain Board, with projects planned in:
o Eastern Highlands Province o Central Province
o Morobe Province
• Awaiting release of K11 million NEC-approved funding for rice and grain development.
The Government and Department of Agriculture will focus on the following key areas in 2025:
• Implementation of NASP 2024-2033, with a dedicated Implementing Secretariat by Q1 2025.
• Hosting the first-ever National Agriculture Industry Public-Private Partnership Conference (7-11 April 2025, in Lae).
• Expanding import replacement strategies, including increased production of:
o Rice
o Potatoes
o Onions
o Fresh produce
• Strengthening biosecurity controls, with finalisation of the Biosecurity Bill for NEC approval.
• Finalising the NAA Bill and establishing the Agriculture Investment Corporation (AIC) to attract further investment.
• Enhancing coconut industry support, including:
o Expansion of coconut replanting initiatives
o Further investment in downstream processing
o Exploring international partnerships for coconut exports
• Developing national policies for:
o Women in Agriculture
o Agricultural Digitalisation
o Agricultural Inputs Tax Exemption
“The Department of Agriculture and its commodity boards have laid a strong foundation for agriculture-led economic growth. With the right investments, policies, and governance, PNG will reduce food imports, enhance exports , and create more economic opportunities for our farmers and SMEs,” said Prime Minister Marape.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s unwavering support for agriculture as a national priority and urged all stakeholders to collaborate in driving PNG’s agricultural transformation.