Chairmen of Oil Palm Growers Associations from five declared projects under the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC) have united in Port Moresby to reaffirm their strong support for the two National Oil Palm Bills and reject claims made by five individual oil palm growers from the Hoskins Project in Kimbe, West New Britain Province.
The Chairmen said the individuals recently issued a media statement without the knowledge or endorsement of the official Growers Associations.
Acting Chairman of the Hoskins Oil Palm Growers Association and Board Chairman of the Oil Palm Industry Corporation, Mr Augustine Kapi, said the statement released by the five individuals reflected their personal views and should not be taken as representing the position of the wider oil palm grower’s community.
Mr Kapi was joined by Mr Bruno Malazziba, Chairman of the New Ireland Oil Palm Growers Association; Mr Vinceslas Ange, Deputy Chairman of the Popondetta Oil Palm Growers Association; Mr Mike Malana, Deputy Chairman of the Milne Bay Oil Palm Farmers Association and Mr Richard Labiti, Deputy Chairman of the Bialla Oil Palm Growers Association.
The five leaders represent more than 20,804 registered smallholder oil palm growers across the country.
Mr Kapi said the leaders were concerned that the media release by the five individuals had created confusion within the industry and did not reflect the views of the majority of growers who depend on oil palm production for their livelihoods.
He emphasized that the Growers Associations remain fully supportive of the two National Oil Palm Bills and want them presented to the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea as soon as possible.
“The proposed legislation is important for strengthening the governance and long-term sustainability of the oil palm industry while protecting the interests of customary landowners and smallholder growers,” Mr Kapi said.
The Chairmen also stressed that the oil palm industry remains one of the country’s most important agricultural sectors, supporting thousands of rural families and contributing significantly to economic development in oil palm growing regions.
They said the passage of the two Bills would help ensure the continued growth and expansion of the industry for the benefit of growers, landowners and the wider rural economy.