Oil palm sector set for growth

By JACINTA COHLEE
THE agriculture sector has been crippled, despite it being the backbone of the country’s economy, says an official.
Oil Palm Industry Corporation (Opic) board chairman Stuart Tatauro said the sector had been stagnant for years, but the Government had seen the potential in the industry and was pushing for a revitalisation of the oil palm sector through policy and initiatives.
Opic had initiated a structure of the National Oil Palm Policy (NOPP) as part of a reform through amendments in governing legislation to revive the industry.
Under the leadership of Oil Palm Minister Francis Maneke, Opic reviewed the Oil Palm Industry Corporation Act (1992) and drafted and compiled the National Oil Palm Policy which will link to the Agriculture Medium-term Development Plan (AMTDP), as well as align with the targets set out under MTDP4 and also to sustainable development goals.
The Opic team has been visiting regions and consulting with stakeholders to get their views and contributions to the creation of the policy.
On Monday, a Mamose consultation workshop was held in Lae at the National Agricultural Research Institute (Nari) headquarter at Nine-Mile.
Maneke, also MP for Nakanai, said the draft policy involves every interested party to contribute their thoughts and ideas to its formation.
“We all must get involved so that we can be able to maximise our benefits.
“I thank the Government for pushing to revitalise the Oil Palm Industry for growth to another level and as part of the ‘Take back PNG’ initiative towards realising the objective of giving economic independent to people in the medium and long term.”
Maneke said this year was a preparatory period for the oil palm industry.
The Nakanai MP said the proposed National Oil Palm Policy (NOPP) was seen as the first step in the revitalisation of the PNG oil palm industry which was expected to be an important contributor to the economy.
Maneke said NOPP would give effect to the legislation and
regulations for ensuring a conducive environment for all stakeholders and thus grow the industry.
Maneke said one of his Government’s priorities was to ensure legislative changes to the current Opic Act of 1992.
“The new legislation will provide the regulatory framework for the industry to grow and expand,” he said.
In regards to the policy, according to a presentation made during the NOPP Mamose consultation, there are no standards or a clear framework that provides the basis for the government to administer and regulate the industry.
This has resulted in the lack of government focus and coordination to address various issues in the oil palm industry.
It was revealed that the Opic Act (1992) did not empower Opic to regulate the industry except to provide extension services to smallholders.
According to the presentation, the development and growth of the oil palm sector in PNG had created the need for the government to establish a regulatory framework to better regulate the sector.