Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has issued a strong call to action for Papua New Guinea’s agriculture sector, urging an immediate shift from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture as a means of driving economic growth, job creation, and national self-sufficiency.
Speaking after a high-level meeting with agricultural leaders and key stakeholders, the Prime Minister underscored the urgent need to transform the agriculture sector into the backbone of PNG’s economy. He stressed that agriculture remains the most sustainable and inclusive path to national prosperity, given the country’s rich land, favorable climate, and natural resources.
Also present at the meeting were Agriculture Minister Hon. John Boito, Coffee Minister Hon. William Bando, Livestock Minister Hon. Sekie Agisa, and Oil Palm Minister Hon. Francis Maneke, all of whom pledged their support for the government’s renewed agricultural agenda.
Prime Minister Marape drew a powerful comparison to Israel, a nation with a landmass of just 21,671 square kilometres, which generates US$2.5 billion in agricultural exports annually. He challenged PNG’s policymakers and farmers to learn from global success stories and implement strategic policies that will unlock PNG’s full agricultural potential.
“If a small nation like Israel can generate US$2.5 billion in agricultural exports, there is no reason why PNG, with our vast landmass and abundant resources, cannot do the same,” he stated.
“We must empower our people to move beyond subsistence farming and embrace commercial agriculture as a pathway to economic independence.”
The Prime Minister directed agriculture sector leaders to prioritise 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,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister 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.
Prime Minister Marape stressed 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.”
The Prime Minister set a 10-year transformation goal, calling for structured policy reforms, increased investment in agro-processing, and the establishment of export-driven supply chains.
“This is our opportunity to rewrite PNG’s economic story. By 2045, when PNG marks 70 years of independence, we must be a self-sufficient and food-exporting nation,” he stated.
He directed agriculture, fisheries, and forestry ministries to integrate their efforts, ensuring that policies drive investment in primary production, processing facilities, and export markets.
Drawing inspiration from South Korea’s economic rise, Marape reminded Papua New Guineans that in 1953, South Korea was one of the poorest nations in the world, with a GDP per capita lower than PNG’s at the time. Today, South Korea is one of the top 15 global economies, thanks to a strong national work ethic, strategic planning, and investment in key industries.
“South Korea in 1953 was one of the poorest nations on earth,” he said.
“Today, they have a GDP per capita of over US$33,000,while we are still struggling to fully utilise the wealth in our land.”
The Prime Minister called on all Papua New Guineans, particularly the younger generation, to embrace this transformation.
“Are we just going to sit in our government offices, talking about policies without implementing them? Or are we going to be the generation that transforms PNG into a food-exporting nation?” he challenged.
Prime Minister Marape concluded with a direct challenge to agricultural leaders, policymakers, and businesses, urging them to take immediate action to increase production and drive exports.
“This is not just an academic exercise. It is the future of our economy,” he said. “We have a clear strategy, we have the land, and we have the people. Now, we must execute the plan and get to work.”
The government will now accelerate agricultural investment, promote technology-driven farming, and establish strong export markets, ensuring that agriculture becomes the leading driver of PNG’s economy in the coming decade.
