$70 million of the stimulus package to support local famers

The government has allocated a total of seventy- million dollars towards country’s productive and resource sectors.

This is invested in value-added products.

Some of these include noni, kava, cassava, taro, copra and coconut oil.

Announcing the package yesterday, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said,his government will also introduce a special price scheme for copra and cocoa for the next 3 to 6 months.

This is to ensure farmers return to their villages to involve in the production of copra and cocoa.

“I wish to announce that included under this package the Government will introduce a special price or freight subsidies scheme for copra and cocoa for the next 3 to 6 months. This is to ensure that people returning to their villages are invigorated and engage in the production of copra and cocoa. On this regard, I call on all our coconut and cocoa plantation owners to start cleaning your plantation and produce more copra and cocoa.”

Meanwhile, many rural farmers in the country have appreciated the government for providing the financial package.