Papua New Guinea Minister thanks FAO
The Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Assik Tommy Tomscoll, has expressed his gratitude to FAO for its support to the Pacific region. Minister Tomscoll also acknowledged the presence of the ministers from the Southwest Pacific region who participated at the 11th FAO Southwest Pacific Ministers of Agriculture meeting.
Minister Tomscoll thanked the FAO Director-General, Dr Jose Graziano da Silva, for his efforts in giving special consideration to the needs of the Pacific countries. He said FAO has provided PNG with technical assistance through a number of programmes and the establishment of the FAO country office has made work much easier.
FAO is supporting the Department of Agriculture and Livestock for the formulation of a new food security policy for the period 2016-2025. Minister Tomscoll said the 11th FAO Southwest Pacific Ministers meeting has forged a stronger working relationship amongst the ministers to support and promote agriculture “the Pacific way”.
He said that by coming together at such high profile meeting, the ministers would work closely together and their efforts will create hope and opportunities to enhance agriculture in the region. Tomscoll said Pacific island countries shared similar problems in terms of poverty and must work together with FAO and other partners to improve the standard of living.
He said the agriculture sector was the backbone of many of the Pacific island economies and played an important role in terms of providing income, employment, business opportunities and others.
Tomscoll said PNG is now making an effort in transforming and modernizing the sector to bring positive changes to the people.
Contributor: Soldier Buruka – Media Officer
Papua New Guinea Department of Agriculture and Livestock