Oil palm leads PNG’s agriculture push, says DAL Secretary

By GEORGINA MICHAEL

THE Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) has supported the government’s oil palm reform bills in the drafting process describing the industry as the strongest performer in PNG’s agriculture sector.

During the NCD validation program on Monday (18/05/26) DAL Secretary Sergie Bang said oil palm’s contribution sets the benchmark for other cash crops.

“The oil palm industry is the best industry in the agriculture sector that brings in up to K2.2 billion annually with over 40 percent of the agriculture export revenue into the country,”Bang said.

He acknowledged the Ministry of Oil Palm for advancing the Oil Palm Policy and drafting the Oil Palm Management Bill and Oil Palm Authority Bill. He said that this supports the Marape-Rosso government’s Medium Term Development Plan IV and the broader goal of a K200 billion economy, with agriculture contributing K30 billion.

He credited the industry for aligning with government priorities on commercializing smallholders, boosting exports, and expanding downstream processing. Oil palm is one of 10 priority commodities under MTDP IV, he noted.

“The government expects significant impact towards national development in terms of increase in GDP,” he said. “The agriculture sector is expected to contribute K30 billion to the development of the country while creating a million jobs or more.”

He said oil palm was already delivering on that front by generating jobs across the value chain and creating opportunities for MSMEs as service providers.

“The private sector is running the oil palm industry, and we need to listen to them,” Bang said.

He urged milling companies, smallholder growers, and government agencies to work together to expand processing, reduce imports, and grow exports.

Bang commended Oil Palm Minister Francis Manake and Oil Palm Industry Corporation General Secretary Kepson Pupita for progressing with the two bills.

With the right regulatory framework, investment, and fair participation, he said, the industry can unlock greater economic opportunities, empower landowners, and uplift smallholders.