Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has highlighted the importance of young Papua New Guineans stepping into agriculture leadership, saying the country’s future prosperity depends on a new generation of farmers and agribusiness leaders.
Speaking at the launch of the AgriConnect Programme in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, on Tuesday, Prime Minister Marape pointed to inspiring examples of young farmers who are already transforming agriculture in their communities.
The Prime Minister said individuals such as Michael Yanepa of Lufa in Eastern Highlands and Kim Isonga from remote Finschhafen in Morobe Province demonstrate the kind of leadership needed to unlock Papua New Guinea’s vast agricultural potential.
“I want to highlight a few examples,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“Michael Yanepa from Lufa left opportunities in government and private sector and chose instead to organise coffee farmers through a cooperative. His decision to return to the rural economy and work with farmers shows the kind of commitment we need from educated young Papua New Guineans.”
Mr Yanepa, an economist, currently leads the Lufa–Oliguti Farmers Cooperative, helping farmers organise production, improve quality, and strengthen access to markets. The project is supported by the government through the PNG Agriculture Commercialisation and Diversification (PACD) Project with World Bank support.
Prime Minister Marape also acknowledged the work of Kim Isonga, a farmer from Finschhafen who manages a coffee cooperative under extremely challenging conditions.
“Another farmer, Kim Isonga from remote Finschhafen, manages a coffee cooperative that produces thousands of kilograms of coffee annually, even without road access,” the Prime Minister said.
“These examples show that agriculture is not just subsistence activity. It is serious business that can drive economic growth, exports, and job creation.”
Prime Minister Marape said the Government’s AgriConnect initiative, launched in partnership with international development partners, aims to scale up such success stories across the country by connecting farmers, cooperatives, agribusinesses and markets.
He emphasised that the programme will support farmers through improved coordination, financing opportunities, and stronger partnerships between government, the private sector and development partners.
“Our country has immense agricultural potential,” the Prime Minister said.
“But the real drivers of transformation will be our farmers themselves—especially young Papua New Guineans who are prepared to take leadership in their communities.”
Prime Minister Marape encouraged more young people to view agriculture as a viable and rewarding career path.
“We need more young Papua New Guineans like them,” he said.
“If our young people organise themselves into cooperatives, adopt modern farming practices, and connect to markets, agriculture will become a powerful engine of economic growth for Papua New Guinea.”
He said the Government remains committed to strengthening agriculture as a key pillar of the country’s long- term development strategy, alongside infrastructure, energy and trade.
“Through programmes like AgriConnect, we are building a pathway for our farmers to participate fully in the national economy and in global markets,” Prime Minister Marape said.