Bougainville agriculture must contribute: Itta

By Aloysius Laukai

Dominic Itta, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock in the Autonomous Bougainville Government, says Bougainville has not sufficiently tapped the agriculture sector for economic development.

Mr Itta said Bougainville has unused land and rundown plantations that can be developed to support the island’s economy.

He said he is working on re-establishing the now defunct Department of Primary Industry research stations throughout Bougainville to assist farmers.

The Minister said that once these stations are re-established he will get professional agriculturalists into the field to work with rural communities.

Mr Itta said this would strengthen agriculture, fisheries and other renewable resources that were neglected by previous governments.