Papua New Guinea's prime minister has conceded the country's agriculture industries have been neglected, but that his government is working to restore its capacity.
Speaking at the PNG Advantage Investment Summit in Brisbane, Peter O'Neill says the government is trying to increase agricultural production and exports -- particularly for coffee, cocoa and copra.
Two weeks ago, an association representing farmers in the Highlands called for serious reforms as the country's agricultural output for the year is set to decline yet again.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
Mr O'Neill says the government is working to help the sector.
"There has been some neglect in the past of our key agricultural industries and we are working together with many of our government agencies so that we can increase our production, and of course we are trying to increase exports. Our government is building many of these infrastructures so that we can meet the demands."
Peter O'Neill says the government is also working to build the country's Small-to-Medium Enterprise sector to get more people participating in the formal economy.
