By DALCY LULLUA
IN his presentation on the “exciting investment opportunities in the agriculture sector” at the XIV World Indigenous Business Forum, Dr Keith Galgal, said the government has designated Special Economic Zones for agriculture that have huge investment potential.
He said this investment potential is in cattle, oil palm and poultry.
Citing oil palm as an example, Dr Galgal said in the agriculture and renewable sector, “when you come to invest in the commodity, you are here to stay because you will feed mouths that are growing at a rate of 3.1% every year; if you invest in agriculture, you are here to stay”.
“PNG is number seven oil palm producer in the world, producing 650 thousand metric tons of oil for export.
“The potential SEZs for investment in oil palm are the Sepik Plains, which contains 600,000 hectares of grassland, and the Gulf Province, which contains 300,000 of rich soil – altogether that is close to a million hectares available for potential investment in oil palm.”
He said poultry production in PNG is 50% commercial and 50% owned by locals, with the commercial ownership concentrated in Morobe Province.
Dr Galgal it is a biosecurity risk that PNG’s commercial poultry production is concentrated in one province as any invasive disease could wipe out the industry.
“We are producing 35,000 tonnes of poultry products in the country and importing 60,000 tonnes per year; that’s a local market demand of over 100,000 tonnes of poultry every year,” he said.
Dr Galgal said investment in poultry should be in a central location, with logistical access being a mainstay.
He said this investment potential is in cattle, oil palm and poultry.
Citing oil palm as an example, Dr Galgal said in the agriculture and renewable sector, “when you come to invest in the commodity, you are here to stay because you will feed mouths that are growing at a rate of 3.1% every year; if you invest in agriculture, you are here to stay”.
“PNG is number seven oil palm producer in the world, producing 650 thousand metric tons of oil for export.
“The potential SEZs for investment in oil palm are the Sepik Plains, which contains 600,000 hectares of grassland, and the Gulf Province, which contains 300,000 of rich soil – altogether that is close to a million hectares available for potential investment in oil palm.”
He said poultry production in PNG is 50% commercial and 50% owned by locals, with the commercial ownership concentrated in Morobe Province.
Dr Galgal it is a biosecurity risk that PNG’s commercial poultry production is concentrated in one province as any invasive disease could wipe out the industry.
“We are producing 35,000 tonnes of poultry products in the country and importing 60,000 tonnes per year; that’s a local market demand of over 100,000 tonnes of poultry every year,” he said.
Dr Galgal said investment in poultry should be in a central location, with logistical access being a mainstay.
He said poultry is a growing industry and Port Moresby is one SEZ that needs investment in this area to provide ease of access for producers and consumers alike.
