PAPUA New Guinea is taking decisive action to reduce its reliance on imported rice as the Southeast Asian supply crisis continues to threaten food security across the region.
The Marape-Rosso Government, through the newly established National Rice and Grain Board (NRGB), has set a bold target to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2035.
Koren Rokas Maso, Executive Chairman of the National Rice and Grain Board, said the country must act urgently to secure its food supply.
“The rice supply crisis in Southeast Asia is a wake-up call for Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“We import over 400,000 metric tonnes of rice annually from Vietnam, Thailand, and India, at a cost exceeding K1 billion (US$270 million) per year.
“This level of dependence is unsustainable. The National Rice and Grain Board has been established to ensure we take control of our food security and move towards self-sufficiency by 2035.”
To meet this target, Maso emphasised the need to significantly increase domestic production from the current 50, 000 metric tonnes to at least 450, 000 metric tonnes annually.
“Achieving this goal will require a complete transformation of our rice industry,” Maso said.
“We must expand rice farming land, invest in high-yield and climate-resilient rice varieties, improve irrigation infrastructure, and provide technical and financial support to our farmers.
“This is not just about growing more rice—it is about ensuring that every Papua New Guinean has access to affordable, locally produced food.”
Maso also acknowledged the strong leadership of Agriculture Minister Hon. John Boito, who has prioritised food security and played a crucial role in establishing the National Rice and Grain Board.
“The Minister has been instrumental in driving this initiative forward,” he said.
“His commitment to reducing PNG’s reliance on rice imports and strengthening our agricultural sector has been key in setting the foundation for self-sufficiency.”
Maso pointed to the ongoing food security crisis in the Philippines as a stark reminder of the risks of over-reliance on imports.
“The Philippines, despite being a major producer and importer of rice, has had to suspend 350, 000 metric tonnes of Vietnamese rice imports. Global price fluctuations—from USD 620 to USD 500 per metric tonne—further highlight the volatility of the international market.
“PNG must not wait for a crisis to take action,” he said.
The National Rice and Grain Board will lead efforts to: increase domestic rice production to 450, 000 metric tonnes by 2035 to ensure food security, develop key rice-growing regions across PNG to reduce our reliance on imported rice, encourage private sector investment and public-private partnerships to strengthen our farming infrastructure, and implement policies that protect PNG from the uncertainties of the global food market.”
“The time for action is now,” Maso said.
