OPPOSITION Leader, Jeremiah Manele says the government needs to increase its allocation in the 2017 budget to the agriculture sector.
Manele pointed this out in Parliament yesterday after the government allocated only $45m to the sector.
He said they need to increase the budget allocations to the agriculture sector especially for cocoa, coconut and kava farmers.
“Value adding activities such as coconut oil processing needs to be supported so as export of their crops such as taro and cassava.”
The Opposition Leader also took time to applaud Varivao Company Limited for venturing further into cassava export.
Manele said the government must support such local agri-businesses companies in developing and sustaining their products and securing markets for them.
Furthermore, Manele said on livestock or cattle development, the ministry needs to fast rack the review of the Livestock Development Authority (LDA) Act to address the development of the cattle industry or policy in this country.
On fisheries, Manele said there is still potential to increase revenue in this sector.
“I call on the government to negotiate and sign an interim economic partnership agreement with the European Union (EU) so that we can get more returns for our fish exports and other exports to the EU.
“PNG and Fiji have benefited from an interim EPA with the European Union,” he said.
Manele said they must also continue to support their rural artisanal fisheries, an important source of livelihood for their people.
Moreover, on tourism, Manele said this is a sector that can contribute significantly to their economy provided they make targeted investments in the sector.
By EDDIE OSIFELO