Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has declared that agriculture remains the nation’s “number one focus,” calling for a radical shift toward food production to secure Papua New Guinea’s future.

Speaking at the launch of the AgriConnect PNG program in Goroka on Tuesday (03.03.26), the Prime Minister emphasized that while minerals and gas are significant, food security is the true foundation of a resilient nation.

“Today they are fighting for oil and gas all over the world, but it is not oil and gas that is the number one human need,” Prime Minister Marape stated.

He said gold provides security, but it is not the number needed. Food is, and that is what people buy every day, and it provides real energy.

However, Prime Minister Marape pointed out that the sector that promotes food security, the agriculture sector, has been neglected for so many years.

The Prime Minister highlighted a concerning reversal in PNG’s economic structure. In 1975, the nation was 80% primary industry-based. Today, that statistic has flipped, with the extractive sector dominating 80% of the economy.

He argued that mining and petroleum, while boosting GDP, fail to provide mass employment, noting that ten new mines would create fewer than 30,000 jobs, whereas agriculture can sustain millions.

“The world will not wait for lazy citizens,” the Prime Minister warned. “The easiest place our people can earn money right now is from the two greatest resources we have: ourselves and our land.”

Prime Minister Marape added that to address the “diluted focus” on agriculture caused by heavy bureaucracy, his government has created four specialized sector ministries:

• Coffee: A standalone portfolio to revitalize a footprint that covers 80% of the country.

• Oil Palm: Now the number one export earner in agriculture.

• Livestock: Tasked with reducing the K2 billion spent annually on importing food.

• Agriculture (General): Tasked with broad oversight and commercialization. “Why are we spending over K2 billion importing food when this should be

channeled back into buying local produce?” Prime Minister Marape questioned then issued a stern directive to departmental heads and ministers: “I need results from this sector. If you can not deliver, please get out of these jobs.”

The Prime Minister pointed to the massive potential of the Asian marketplace, noting that PNG is within 10 hours of 4 billion people.

He revealed that leaders from China, Singapore, and Japan have expressed a high demand for PNG produce, specifically rice and poultry.

Prime Minister Marape informed that there is demand for Papua New Guinea produce. However, the sad thing is that they are not producing enough for themselves or for the markets that are open to them.

Drawing inspiration from South Korea’s rapid transformation from subsistence agriculture to a global power in 70 years, Prime Minister Marape urged the nation to seize the moment.

“Agriculture is humankind’s first profession, and it is timeless. Secure the food industry, and you secure the nation. We have domestic opportunities and international opportunities; we just need to find the hardworking people and get to work.”