Source: The National / PACNEWS

Recent increased developments in the extractive industry have left the agriculture sector to near collapse, says  Papua New Guinea Agriculture Minister Tommy Tomscoll.

Tomscoll said despite that, the agriculture sector has always been the backbone of the economy.

He said as a way forward he would encourage the government to shift their focus from the mineral sector to redevelop the agriculture sector and other sustainable industries such as fisheries and tourism for sustainable economic growth.

“PNG is a agriculture economy and not an economy based on mining, oil and gas,” he said.

Tomscoll said revenue from the extractive industry was an opportunity and will not last.

He said the success of agriculture lies in innovation and creativity, hence it was important to educate and do more awareness to the young people to work hard on their land.

He said they will review the entire sector and revive it and connect directly with the farmers.

He said the livelihoods of over 80 per cent of Papua New Guineans depend on agriculture with the sector contributing to about 20 per cent of GDP.

Tomscoll said farming has been a form of income, food and business for the people of PNG for many years.

He said he would like to see people go into the culture of savings from their farm produce and agricultural activities to improve their lifestyles for them and their children