Popondetta, March 6, 2024 – Oil Palm Minister Hon. Francis Maneke reaffirmed the commitment of the Marape Pangu Pati Government to bolster the oil palm industry’s growth in Oro Province and Papua New Guinea. Minister Maneke made this statement today in Popondetta while launching the Government Intervention Replant Programme. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of smallholder growers, industry stakeholders, and Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC) personnel, including General-Secretary Kepson Pupita and Pangu Pati General-Secretary Morris Tovebae.
Expressing concern over the ageing palms of smallholder growers, Minister Maneke highlighted their contribution to declining production in Oro. During the ceremony, Minister Maneke presented K540,000 to Higaturu Oil Palms, a subsidiary of New Britain Palm Oil Ltd, to facilitate the supply of seedlings to growers. The Minister handed over the funds to General-Manager Vijou Vergis of Higaturu Oil Palms Ltd, emphasising the importance of providing high-quality seedlings to support local growers.
“We are here today to offer support to smallholder growers of Oro,” stated Minister Maneke.
“I am allocating K540,000 to our milling company, Higaturu Oil Palms, on behalf of the Marape Government, to procure seedlings for smallholder growers in Oro. Depending on the success of this initiative and the cooperation of our local milling company, we are prepared to allocate additional funds to replace all ageing trees in Oro.”
Minister Maneke underscored that the issue of ageing palms extends beyond Oro to major oil palm-producing provinces such as West New Britain, New Ireland, and Milne Bay. Mr. Vergis, in his remarks, confirmed the decline in smallholder oil palm production in Oro and expressed gratitude to the Marape Government, Minister Maneke, and OPIC for addressing this challenge.
“This initiative to support replanting is commendable and will greatly benefit smallholders,” remarked Mr. Vergis.
Mr. Vergis emphasised the urgency of replanting efforts to sustain the oil palm crop in Oro amidst rising living costs, cautioning against the economic challenges posed by stagnant production levels.
