“This agriculture and food security funding, the biggest element of our K600 million in direct budget funding support on COVID-19, recognises the fact that agriculture underpins the livelihoods of most Papua New Guineans,” Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey said. “Over 85 percent of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for consumption and cash cropping for income.
“COVID-19 is a tricky, hidden enemy. Good decisions by the government have helped protect PNG. But there is still great uncertainty, and the experts are telling us that we must stay alert.