Australia Commits $13 Million to Agricultural Research in Papua New

MEDIA RELEASE

Released By:
Sullivan

I am pleased to announce that the Howard
Government will provide $13 million towards improving agricultural research
capacity in Papua New Guinea. The Memorandum of Understanding for the project
will be signed in Port Moresby today by the Australian and PNG governments.

The agriculture sector is critical to
Papua New Guinea with 85% of the population, or some 3.5 million people, relying
on rural production for their livelihood.

Nevertheless, the PNG agriculture sector
has been in decline for a number of years. Growth in the agriculture sector is
only 1% - far slower than the growth in population. Incomes in rural areas are
$500 per annum, just one-tenth of those in PNG urban centres. Poor research
services is one of the major factors constraining agricultural
growth.

This project is designed to strengthen the
National Agriculture Research Institute's capacity to deliver high quality
services to PNG farmers by training staff and developing links with farmers,
women's and business groups in the agriculture sector. It also includes $4
million for high priority equipment and infrastructure.

The project is timely given the
devastation caused to PNG's agriculture sector by the recent drought and last
year's frosts. The project aims to help develop crop varieties that are more
drought resistant. By assisting the PNG government to increase agriculture
output and productivity rural communities should cope better with the effects of
drought.

Centres to increase the supply of seeds
available to farmers will be established to improve food security in future
emergencies.

Our assistance will give a significant
boost to the PNG agriculture sector, which impacts on so many people. This
latest project complements other activities being undertaken through the
Australian aid program in the agriculture sector, including strengthening of the
quarantine service and biological control of exotic weeds.