The West New Britain Provincial Government, in partnership with the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC), proudly welcomes the National Executive Council’s (NEC) approval of the National Palm Oil Policy 2025-2030. This landmark policy marks a historic step forward for Papua New Guinea’s leading agricultural export industry, setting a new direction for growth, sustainability, and empowerment of smallholder farmers and landowners.
Speaking after the NEC’s decision on Monday, March 10, 2025, OPIC General Secretary Kepson Pupita hailed the policy as a transformative framework that will regulate, expand, and enhance the oil palm sector, particularly in key production hubs such as West New Britain.
“The NEC’s approval of the National Palm Oil Policy 2025-2030 is a milestone achievement for the industry and the people of Papua New Guinea,” Mr. Pupita said. “For the first time in 50 years, we have a national framework that guarantees transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability for the oil palm sector.”
The West New Britain Provincial Government strongly supports this policy, recognizing its potential to reinforce our province’s economic backbone and improve the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers. West New Britain remains the heart of Papua New Guinea’s oil palm industry, and this policy provides the necessary structure to ensure that the benefits are equitably distributed among landowners, farmers, and the provincial economy.
Key provisions of the policy include:
- The transformation of OPIC into a regulatory authority with the mandate to oversee industry compliance and development.
- A structured licensing system to enforce adherence to environmental, social, and economic standards.
- A reformed levy system designed to direct funds toward smallholder support, industry research, and rural infrastructure development.
- A reinforced commitment to landowner participation, ensuring that local communities directly benefit from the wealth generated by the industry.
West New Britain, as the leading oil palm-producing province, stands to gain significantly from this policy, which aligns with the Marape-Rosso Government’s broader vision of a K200 billion economy by 2030, with agriculture expected to contribute K30 billion. The oil palm industry, currently generating K2 billion annually, remains a critical pillar of economic growth, employment, and rural development.
“With NEC’s endorsement, we now have a clear roadmap to implement industry-wide reforms that will create a fairer and more sustainable future for all stakeholders,” Mr. Pupita stated. “This policy is not just about regulation—it is about empowering Papua New Guineans, particularly smallholder farmers, and securing long-term prosperity for our people.”
The West New Britain Provincial Government reaffirms its commitment to working alongside OPIC, national authorities, private sector partners, and landowner groups to ensure the successful implementation of the National Palm Oil Policy 2025-2030. This policy represents a defining moment in the evolution of the oil palm industry, and we stand ready to drive the changes that will benefit our province and the entire nation.
Together, we will build a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive oil palm sector—one that delivers lasting prosperity to the people of West New Britain and Papua New Guinea as a whole.
