Knowledge boost for Fresh Produce Development Agency

(From left) Paul Browne, ISP executive management advisor, John Pono, FPDA HR advisor, Barry Greville-Eyres, ISP project director and Mewie Launa, FPDA corporate services manager display resource materials donated to FPDA by Brisbane-based firms

Co-op Bookshop and UniQuest International Projects, through the New Zealand AID-funded Institutional Strengthening Project for PNG’s Fresh Produce Development Agency, partnered recently to provide the agency with a valuable donation of publications and reference materials.

Both Brisbane-based organisations are committed to the provision of teaching and learning materials that are relevant and important in an otherwise resource limited environment.

FPDA corporate services manager, Mewie Launa was on hand to accept the first delivery of human resource and organisational management oriented resources from ISP’s Barry Greville-Eyres.

“The books will take pride of place in our recently established library and provide our agency with greater understanding into wide-ranging management challenges that confront us on a daily basis, “Mr Launa said.

Mr Greville-Eyres said: “The opportunity for self-study and critical reflection by FPDA management and staff, through direct access to resource materials, is one of many approaches to developing individual and institutional capacities and it’s important that the ISP caters for a blend of such approaches.”

The ISP will continue to build FPDA’s knowledge and information resource base throughout 2010 with targeted contributions.

Greg Liripu, FPDA general manager, also took this opportunity to welcome Paul Browne, the ISP’s recently-appointed executive management adviser who will support the endeavours of FPDA management and the board, in strategic and operational areas, for the remainder of the project.

"It is a real pleasure to be working with the FPDA as it has a long history of positively contributing to the PNG horticulture industry and I am really looking forward to working with FPDA's staff, directors and stakeholders,” Mr Browne said.