National Agriculture and Livestock Implementation Plan 2024-2033 "Downstream processing and commercialization".

The National Agriculture and Livestock Implementation Plan lays down strategies to transform subsistence and seasonal farming into specialized commercial production of crops or livestock, converting the primary products into diversified tertiary products through downstream processing and value adding, ultimately increasing economic values and economic returns. The timeframe of the policy is 10 years covering the period between 2024 and 2033. This Implementation Plan divides thirteen strategic Agriculture Priority Areas of the National Agriculture Sector Plan (NASP) into five major investment programmes for effective implementation and achievement of results: (I) commodity commercialization programme targeting tree crops (oil palm, cocoa, coffee, coconut, rubber, tea), rice and grain, livestock, spices, and fresh produce, which will be implemented through commercial agriculture investments and entrepreneurship and market-driven agriculture production and downstream processing at smallholder, medium to large-scale; (II) agriculture infrastructure development programme which focuses on rehabilitation of run-down plantations and all infrastructure required for agricultural development, such as feeder roads, jetties, wharves, irrigation, marketing, processing and storage facilities; (III) private sector participation programme which provides an enabling policy and legal environment for private sector to participate through investments, etc.; (IV) research and development programme which creates a research agenda for technological upgrading, promoting innovation and commercialization, improving research capacity and upgrading research facilities and equipment; and (V) sector governance and management programme which focuses on institutional reform within the Department of Agriculture and Livestock to enable it to perform its role as the lead agency to ensure an effective and coordinated implementation and management of the sector.
This Implementation Plan sets out 17 key priority programs, as follows: (1) downstream processing; (2) commercial agriculture and livestock development; (3) agriculture Micro Small Medium Industries/Micro Small Medium Enterprises/Entrepreneurs and value chain development; (4) national seed security and commercial seed development; (5) national food security; (6) agriculture research and innovations; (7) agricultural extension and rural development; (8) agricultural biosecurity and trade; (9) climate change; (10) agriculture input supplies accessibility and affordability; (11) agriculture statistics bureau, information and publication; (12) graduate development and agripreneurship; (13) land development; (14) rural finance and investment; (15) financing plan; (16) administration of the NASP; and (17) implementing partners/ drivers.
Domestic downstream processing and value adding of primary products will be prioritized to increase the agriculture sector revenue significantly and boost PNG economy and create more employment and income for households. The commodities with adequate supply of volume at present for immediate commencement of downstream processing and value adding include coffee, cocoa, oil palm, kaukau, coconut, galip nut, vanilla, potato, rubber and tea. Large scale commercial agriculture development of crops and livestock will be achieved to ensure consistent supply of large volumes of supply for downstream processing as well as meeting the domestic needs and export market quota, with an emphasis on commodities that have commercial significance and have shown competitive advantage. Value Chain Development for each crop and livestock will be achieved through a systematic approach to improving production, processing, marketing, and consumption. National seed security and commercial seed development will be strengthened to support large scale commercial production of crops and livestock.
National food security will be achieved through a systematic approach to accessibility, availability, affordability and domestic distribution of all food groups. Agricultural research and innovation will be strengthened for the transformation of the agriculture sector through innovations and improved technologies. Rural development will be achieved by building capacities of as many farmers as possible. Agricultural extension services will be provided for developing a subsistence farmer into a businessmen/women. This Implementation Plan emphasizes biosecurity systems and biosafety measures which are critical in protecting agriculture industries and the economy. Disaster risk reduction and management systems will be developed and emergency response capacity will be strengthened. Food safety and health standards will be developed by promoting healthy and hygienic practices; implementing Hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) principles; monitoring food handling and processing and supply systems; developing food waste disposal systems; properly labelling nutritional benefits; enforcing compliance and auditing systems.
Climate smart agriculture practices will be adapted and promoted to improve agricultural production, increase carbon sinks, reduce GHG emissions and mitigate climate change. Consistent and adequate supply of the farm inputs, processing machinery, tools, equipment and technology will be provided to strengthen commercial farming and downstream processing. A central data base, information management and publication bureau will be established by the NASP to be responsible for administration, coordination and dissemination of agriculture statistics and diligently published information. Agripreneurship will be promoted to convert subsistence farming activities or MSMEs/MSMIs into large scale commercial operations of agribusiness industries. Commercial agriculture development on customary land will be achieved. Rural financing will be strengthened, and farmer insurance facility will be established under an Agricultural Wealth Fund.