A successful year in agriculture for NARI

By JAMES LARAKI of NARI

As 2011 approaches its end and 2012 lies only days away, we are proud that National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) continues to make very good progress in accomplishing its strategic objective and impacting positively on the lives of our people.

Basic food processing training conducted by NARI for women in the Huon district in partnership with Bris Kanda, a local NGO

This was echoed by NARI director general, Dr Raghunath Ghodake, in his Christmas message to staff, partners and stakeholders, acknowledging that this would not have been possible without their tireless efforts.

Among these achievements was the launching of the NARI-EU Agricultural Research for Development project on generation and adaptation of agricultural technologies to mitigate climate change imposed risks to food security in smallholder farming communities in western pacific countries of Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and PNG.

Participants from Solomon Islands at the popular communications workshop held recently under the capacity building project of NAI-EU Science and Technology Programme

 This mega project is in addition to the three projects for capacity building which are being implemented by the Institute under the EU ACP Science and Technology Programme.

These projects will benefit agricultural research and development organisations in the Western Pacific Countries. 

VIPs led by NARI director general, Dr Raghunath Ghodake and Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge, making their way to officiate the Agricultural Innovations Show staged at Bubia, outside Lae in May

Dr Ghodake noted that many areas of these projects had been successfully implemented during 2011.   In May, NARI celebrated its 14^th anniversary, coinciding with the staging of the 5^th Agricultural Innovations Show. 

NARI director general, Dr Raghunath Ghodake and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to PNG, Dr Martin Dihm with shell money presented by Solomon Island representatives at the lauching of the EU ARD project at the Holiday Inn early this year

 During this event, the institute officially released three improved technologies to the farming community.

These included two blight-resistant potato varieties, two cool-tolerant rice varieties for the highlands and the broiler feeding system developed using locally-available resources, bringing the number of NARI-released technologies to 27.

Anton Mais (right) of NARI explaining to visitors to the agriculture innovation show on the use of a simple cooling system being promoted by NARI

Dr Ghodake also noted the institute’s continued achievements in many excellent outcomes such as quality publications, staging of and participating in important public events, working with local organisations and rural communities on technology transfer-related activities, increased participation in post-graduate training, direct funding from AusAID, and wider acclaim from stakeholders and civic society for information dissemination through the print  and electronic media, field days, public shows, training sessions and demonstrations. 

It was noted that during year, NARI staff participated in a wide range of workshops, conferences, training programmes and technical consultations both locally and internationally.

 They also produced an array of conference or workshop papers, corporate documents, technical bulletins and scientific journal publications.

NARI has made good progress on the refocused institute planning and alignment of the organisational structure and management systems so as to contribute effectively to improving the outputs and farm level outcomes and impacts. 

The institute has developed its Strategy and Results Framework (a corporate document), a key milestone and the basis for further focusing and planning at the programme and projects levels.

“We will continue to develop further the Institute and build on relevant capacities to create a congenial environment for AR4D and to further improve in service delivery efforts for our primary clients, the smallholder farmers of PNG, while at the same time continue to deliver on currently implemented projects and on‐going activities”, Dr Ghodake added.

“We are pleased with the confirmation in March by the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts of our prudence in financial management and accountability.

“We will continue to undertake the institute’s financial management within the established financial guidelines and procedures.

“ NARI will continue to be pro-active in providing good corporate governance from our very able council and equally good leadership at the executive management level”.

Dr Ghodake expressed that these achievements could not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of the PNG Government,  AusAID, EU, stakeholders, donors and NARI staff from all programmes and at all levels, stating the institute highly appreciated and treasured their commitments and contributions.

While wishing all staff, partners and stakeholders an enjoyable festive season on behalf of the NARI council and management, he called for their continued and proactive contributions in 2012 and the years to come for the benefit of the farming community who depend partly or wholly on agriculture for their livelihoods.