Minister for Oil Palm, Francis Galia Maneke has called for more research from all agricultural commodities in the country.
He made the call on Wednesday, Nov 07, 2022 at the official launching of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) National Results Framework 2022-2023 and Strategic Implementation Plan 2022 -2027 in Lae, Morobe Province.
“Research in the country must be sustainably supported by all commodities and that is where we can be able to independently enable us on how we can do things.
‘If the Government is not supporting us, we got to integrate programmes whereby each of our commodity in the country must work together and partner with our developing partners and make it happen for our country,” Minister Maneke said.
He said the most important thing NARI Researchers must do is how rural population are benefitting from the research made. Also urged NARI to involve women in everything they do in terms of subsistence farming in rural areas.
Minister Maneke further alluded that Oil Palm industry in the country is more an extension service oriented and he is working to review the legislations and its regulatory framework whereby it can be an industry oriented and serve the country as an industry.
He commended Governor for Morobe, Luther Wenge for a good dialogue of developing oil palm in the province.
Maneke said the oil palm industry is sustainable and needs guidance and support in order for the program to be fully implemented.
“The maximum benefit of this industry starts from the land. I commend the Government for allowing land alienation, which will enable accessibility to customary and making way possible to add value to customary land.
“The way forward the government is looking at is how we can be able to also develop coffee, cocoa, coconut and oil palm separately but must be integrated and supported and that can be done through research”
Minister Maneke emphasized the importance of climate change and global warming effect affecting us and must be taken seriously and plan accordingly.