PH and Papua New Guinea to Work Together Towards Agri Development

The Philippines and Papua New Guinea have forged a partnership in order to improve agricultural development in both countries.

According to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the agricultural cooperation is designed to “promote mutual consultations, exchanges on technical assistance, and joint research on specific areas of agriculture.”

During President Duterte’s visit to Papua New Guinea, the bilateral agreement was signed by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and Papua New Guinea Agriculture and Livestock Minister Benny Allan.

With the agricultural cooperation, the two countries will work together when it comes to the production of rice, grains, coconut, cocoa, coffee, rubber, palm oil, and horticultural crops and spices.

Both countries will also cooperate in aquaculture and inland fish farming, post-harvest development, livestock breeding, training on bio-security mechanisms and systems for monitoring, development of agri-businesses as well as technical training for establishment of agri-business resource centers.

Irrigation, human resources, etc.

Aside from research, education, and training on agriculture, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea will also tackle the development of irrigation facilities for large rice scale production as well as renovation and establishment of abattoirs.

“The MOA also includes the exchange of professionals, scientists, technicians and farmers for study and training,” according to the Palace.

“Exchanges in genetic materials, technologies, and scientific and technical information also form part of the scope of the MOA,” they added.

After Secretary Piñol and other Cabinet members visited the Philippines-Papua New Guinea Rice Demonstration Farm inside the Pacific Adventist University, the cooperation agreement was signed.

Both countries have a rice cooperation pact and the demo farm was part of that, as well as the 19 Filipino farm technicians and the tax-free supplies and equipment sent to Port Moresby.

The goal of the 25-hectare farm is to establish a model seed farm that can provide certified rice seeds to farmers in the Pacific Island nation.

“Thank you for accommodating us in giving away lands where we can plant,” said President Rodrigo Duterte.

Neighborly advice

Duterte also provided advice to Papua New Guinea when it comes to taking care of their farmlands and guarding against the entry of “big money” from companies.

“You know Governor, most of the lands in the Philippines are not food crop. There are no more lands where we can plant to eat the palay. It’s overtaken by multinationals,” he said.

He added, “Be careful about that. Do not — you may but do not allow the encroachment of multinationals because at the end of the day, what you would get is the salary of your people and yet the bulk — it’s multinational, the bulk of the money goes to the company and goes everywhere.”

“So what you get you even buy and also the salary is just the employment. So just do not allow big money to enter. You take time to develop,” said the President.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, and Philippine Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Bienvenido Tejano were also present during the farm visit.

via Manila Bulletin / Genalyn Kabiling