6 December 2013

Growing agriculture research capacity
in Papua New Guinea

Australia and Papua New Guinea have delivered a major boost for the prosperity of farmers through agriculture research.

A new K 6.2 million research office, laboratory and guest house has been commissioned at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Islands Regional Centre in Keravat.

Australia provided K5 million through the Incentive Fund and NARI co- funded K1.2 Million to the project, which was officially opened by the Deputy Prime Minister of PNG, Grand Chief Honorable Leo Dion, on Friday 29 November 2013.

The complex is larger and better equipped than facilities destroyed by fire at the site in April 2011.

Offices and laboratories will enable scientists to expand research into livestock and crops. An information centre, Women in Agriculture office, guest house and better internet connection will help scientists, farmers and the community to collaborate and share information.

Minister, Development Cooperation, at the Australian High Commission PNG, Mr Stuart Schaefer, said the facilities provide NARI Keravat with room to grow, and advanced facilities to perform and share research for the benefit of farmers and communities.

“These facilities will also strengthen women’s roles in agriculture by supporting individual researchers and providing space for Women in Agriculture,” Mr Schaefer said.

Research at the centre has already led to the distribution of superior galip nut seedlings and earlier developments in the cocoa, oil palm and taro beetle control sectors.

The Director General of NARI, Dr Raghunath Ghodake expressed thanks and appreciation to the Government of Australia for the funding support to NARI and agriculture in PNG.

NARI Research and Development Coordinator, Islands Regional Centre Keravat, Mr Ofara Petilani, said the facilities will enable greater information sharing and collaboration.

“Research activities and technology developed in this station can go to farmers in rural areas not only in Papua New Guinea but the world as well.”

The event marked the 85th anniversary of the Lowlands Agricultural Experiment Station, which was established on the site in 1928.

Since 2000, Australia has built K350 million worth of infrastructure in PNG through the Incentive Fund. The Incentive Fund supports well-managed organisations to access funding for innovative projects that have a strong development impact for men, women and children of PNG.