The agency held its 2025 dedication service for all its staff at the Revival Centre of PNG church at 7-Mile outside Goroka on Friday (Jan 17).
The focus for 2025 is to continue establishing partnership collaboration with the districts, provincial governments, development partners and corporate organizations in implementing its core extension programs in horticulture especially the fresh produce sector where three quarters of the country's population rely on.
The agency realizes that 2025 is a crucial year where the country will celebrate its 50 years anniversary of nationhood and it remains committed to increase its engagements with rural horticultural farmers by implementing key development targets that are captured in the Medium Term Development Plan IV and Vision 2050.
Agency chief executive officer Mark Worinu thanked the national government for its continued support in funding its core extension programs in elite seed potato production and distribution, bulb onion, market research, value chain development, model farm establishments, village extension worker program, and others.
Mr. Worinu acknowledged the support of the Australian government through the Incentive Fund in building the K17 million world class tissue culture laboratory for high quality seed propagation of potato plantlets as well as other crops and the training centre facility in Kainantu town in the Eastern Highlands province.
"This is a first of its kind investment in horticulture research and development and on record, FPDA is the first agriculture commodity board to benefit from an Incentive Fund funded project," Mr. Worinu remarked.
Other development partners that FPDA is currently partnering are the British American Tobacco, Santos, Unggai-Bena district authority, and the Central Provincial government.
"FPDA is a tiny organization but its plans and visions in horticulture development are big against a small budget.
"We want to expand and reach all districts, therefore we see the the DDA's and provincial governments as key partners.
"We want to implement transformative horticulture development projects in the districts.
"We don't want to rely solely on funds given by the districts and provinces.
