The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Agriculture and Trade Festival in Goroka in the Eastern Highlands province, is set to be bigger with a good number of participants already registered to attend this year.  

The event is hosted by the Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association (FSA) and has already over 40 corporate and government agencies and associations secured their participation and exhibitions.

Some prominent industry exhibitions are New Guinea Fruit, Chemica, Farmset, Agmark, Brian Bell, Rumion Farms, Agmark Machinery, Trukai, Homestate, Mainland Holdings, ICI Dulux. 

The President of the Highlands FSA, Mr. Wilson Thompson, said there will be displays from Poultry Industry Association, Farmers and Settlers Association and SME displays under Department of Agriculture and Livestock. 

“We also have key government agencies such as DAL, NARI, Small Medium Enterprise Corporation, National Trade Office, Department of International Trade and Investment, National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology, Spice Board, KIK, Investment Promotion Authority and others that deal with business and support to the agriculture sector.”

“We also target our youths and so displays from EH Division of Education, Goroka Technical College, University of Goroka, National Research Institute, Air Niugini and also featuring the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), BSP and MiBank on financial literacy and awareness that complement the full agencies from the Ministries of Commerce, Trade and Industry and Investment.”

The event will be hosted at the Show grounds at the National Sports Institute (NSI) at Goroka and it is aimed to celebrate, showcase and promote the agriculture sector. It will not host singsing groups, string bands and music shows but all activities geared towards information, awareness and education. 

“We will have other events such as races and fun events associated with the focus on agriculture.” 

The gate fee is K1 for children under 12 and K2 for everyone. Also, 2, 500 free tickets will be issued to selected schools in all Districts in EHP every day. 

This event also celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Farmers and Settlers Association, with its Charter formally adopted in 1956. 

The PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival will commence tomorrow, Friday 28th August and ending on Sunday 30th August.