The Government has completed a high-level assessment mission to Tanna as it moves forward with plans to establish a National Packhouse under the National Packhouse Development Programme.
The mission forms part of the implementation of Council of Ministers Decision No. 079, which provides for the establishment of National Packhouses in Tanna, Pentecost and Malekula to strengthen agriculture, improve market access and increase exports.
From a press release it states that the Government delegation, led by the First Political Adviser to the Minister of Trade and Commerce, met with the Tafea Provincial Government, the Nikoletan Council of Chiefs and local farmers to discuss the project and assess potential sites for the proposed facility.
Assistant Secretary General of Tafea Province, Carl Don, said the National Packhouse Programme is a key part of the Province’s Economic Development Plan.
“The Province is fully committed to supporting its implementation and will work closely with the National Government to ensure the project delivers sustainable economic opportunities, strengthens agricultural value chains and creates lasting benefits for our communities.”
The delegation also carried out technical inspections of several potential sites, including land within Lenakel Town, while the Ministry of Lands will undertake further assessments before a final location is confirmed.
Chairman of the Nikoletan Council of Chiefs, Chief Peter Marcel Nikiatu, pledged the chiefs’ support for the project.
“We will work together and there will be no ‘namele leaf’ to stop this development. Our people are ready, and we will support this initiative. Yumi harem. Yumi mekem.”
Officials also visited farming areas to assess production capacity and identify suitable feeder farms that will provide a reliable supply of produce for domestic markets, value-added processing and export.
The proposed groundbreaking ceremony for the Tanna National Packhouse is expected to take place on 7 August alongside the launch of the Tafea Provincial Economic Development Plan.
The Government says the Tanna project builds on progress made at the Santo National Packhouse, which is moving into commercial operations and is expected to facilitate its second taro shipment, along with its first commercial shipments of manioc, yam and coconut later this month.
Assessment work will continue this week in Pentecost ahead of another proposed groundbreaking ceremony, while preparations are also progressing for the Malakula National Packhouse.
The Government says the National Packhouse Programme will help create reliable markets for farmers, strengthen provincial economies, improve food security, expand value-added production and increase Vanuatu’s export capacity.
