Taiwan and Papua New Guinea recommit efforts to promote agriculture

Ministers Hickey (right) and Chen shake hands after the signing

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

Taiwan and Papua New Guinea have reaffirmed their commitment towards improving the agriculture sector.

This follows the signing of the revalidation of the technical cooperation agreement on agriculture for a further three-year period.

The PNG government has committed itself to ensure that the agreement with Taiwan is revalidated and remains active for the medium and long-term to ensure that PNG farmers continue to benefit and improve their livelihood.

Over the years since the agreement was first signed, PNG has benefitted through the provision of quality rice and vegetable seeds, machinery, technical expertise, irrigation technology and support to agricultural extension including human resource development both in country and in Taiwan through the international cooperation and development centre.

The technical mission has established its office and facilities in Bubia outside of Lae and has worked closely with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and other agricultural agencies to promote agriculture.

Many of the technologies promoted by the Taiwanese experts are being popularised in many parts of the country.

On Aug 30 this year, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock John Hickey and his counterpart minister and chairman of the council of agriculture, Wu-hsiung Chen, signed the agreement in Taipei, Taiwan.

Hickey expressed his appreciation and thanked the government of Taiwan for inviting him to visit Taiwan and for the second time revalidate the agreement.