310314MINISTER RETURNS AFTER EXCITING BOUGAINVILLE FARMERS
By Aloysius Laukai
The National Minister for Agriculture, TOMMY TOMSCOLL returned to Port Moresby today after inspiring Bougainville farmers to return to the land for much needed cash.
Since he arrived in Buka last Friday, he launched Member Lauta Atoi’s five year cocoa clonal program at the Bel Isi Park then later visited small project sites throughout North Bougainville.
MR. TOMSCOLL told the people of Bougainville that the first Millionaires of Papua New Guinea were Coffee, Cocoa and Coconut growers.
He said that Agriculture employs EIGHTY FIVE PERCENT of Papua New Guinea’s SEVEN POINT FIVE MILLION people and is the only sector that gives direct benefit to the village people.
In his farewell remarks last night, the Minister for LLG and Communications, JOSEPH NOPE thanked the Minister for Agriculture for inspiring the farmers of Bougainville to go back to their land because that is where the money is.
Minister NOPE also thanked the North Bougainville member, LAUTA ATOI for initiating the project that the National Minister has further strengthened by committing the Cocoa Board to partner with his team with funding of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA.
The Minister was able to see Nursery sites in Kekesu, Suir, Baneo, Bonus, Gogohe and Haku before returning this morning.
Ends
Pictured is the Minister welcomed to Lemankoa Cocoa Clone Nursery yesterday.

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