Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Solomon Island appreciates NARI-EU-ACP programme
Caption:
Story and picture by JOSEPHINE YAGA of NARI
Agriculture staff in
He, however, said the new sub-regional programme on capacity building for the three Western Pacific countries -
“Thus, it is a superb achievement by PNG National Agriculture Research Institute, MAL of Solomon Islands and the Vanuatu Agriculture Research and Technical Centre (VARTC) to win funding for three-capacity development projects in this highly-competitive call from European Union (EU) to the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states which will benefit researchers in our countries,” Mr Kingmele said.
He said this during the launch of an ACP science and technology programme on capacity building at the Sir Alkan Tololo Research Centre in Lae recently.
He was among stakeholders from key government and non-government agencies from
The major local stakeholders included the management and staff of NARI, Fresh Produce Development Agency, Coffee Industry Corporation, Cocoa Coconut Institute and PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation.
Mr Kingmele added that agriculture was the backbone of
During the launch, programme partners NARI, MAL and VARTC signed a memorandum of understanding to work together in the programme over the next three years.
“The signing ceremony of the MOU between the three countries signifies a milestone in the move that
“This partnership connects us to various international institutions and organisations elsewhere towards further development of the agriculture sectors in the two countries.”
The ACP S&T programme, totaling K11.5 million, is an ACP EU co-operation programme aimed at supporting ACP countries in formulating and implementing science and technology policies that can lead to sustainable development and poverty reduction through economic growth and progressive integration in the world economy.
The specific purpose of the programme is to strengthen the internal science and technology capacity of ACP countries to support research development and innovations in the ACP region at institutional (administrative and policy making), academic (research and technology) and civil society (business) level.
The programme will be implemented in the three Western Pacific countries involving nine different organisations.
Coffee nurseries for East Sepik schools
Caption: Navi Anis, CEOof CIC and Dr Mark Kenny, acting general manager of CIC’s research and grower services division, at a procession for the launch of school nursery programme in Maprik,
By REUBEN SENGERE of CIC
“You can never fail to be a farmer,”’ stresses Navi Anis, chief executive officer of the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC).
He quoted from remarks made by James Korarome, a CIC board director at the launch of the nursery programme last month at Aiyura in
Mr Anis was the guest-of-honor at the recent launch of the coffee nursery programme for pilot coffee curriculum schools in
He observed in his first official visit as CEO that many farmers along the Yangoru and Maprik sections of the
Mr Anis expressed sadness at the sight and asked farmers to rehabilitate the coffee trees when officiating at
Maprik district is the top producer of Robusta coffee in the country so it was fitting that the event took place in the district.
Mr Anis said grower groups were the way to move forward in the coffee industry.
Service delivery in groups is cost-effective and it provides opportunities for controlling quality of coffee as well as marketing the product.
The occasion was witnessed by stakeholders including students and teachers of participating schools, coffee farmers, provincial agriculture and education officials, and invited guests.
Coffee curriculum advisor Dr Arnold Parapi, who is in charge of implementing this CIC innovation, explained that the nursery package for participating schools would allow students to carry out practicals in the field rather than in the classroom.
“It is a field laboratory,” he said.
Brian Waranduo and Samuel Pongiwa, principals of
Schools that are participating in the coffee curriculum pilot programme in the province are Burgam, Kubalia and Maprik high schools; Yangoru Secondary; and Negri and Banik primary schools.
Simon Peter, chairman of Maprik High School Board and a former CIC employee, countered that ‘”CIC officers are no longer sleeping with farmers” as was the case in the past.
However, according to East Sepik Coffee Cooperative chairman Jerry Anisi, production in the province was bouncing back.
“We may see
“The coffee curriculum with its nursery package in pilot schools will skill the students – the future coffee farmers - to increase production in the province.”
United States-Japan Cooperation on APEC
Press Statement
March 29, 2010
Ottawa
Japan and the United States, as the hosts of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in 2010 and 2011, are cooperating closely to achieve substantive outcomes that will contribute to the growth and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.
Together with the other APEC economies, our two governments are working closely to push forward on regional economic integration, taking a practical and concrete approach.
We are also cooperating in the design of a new growth paradigm for the region, to promote growth which is more balanced, inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and knowledge-based.
We are determined to take the lead in ensuring that APEC continues to serve as a driving force for economic prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.
Japan and the United States look forward to working together with the other APEC economies to inspire new ideas for cooperation and to generate concrete outcomes.
Today, Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Okada agreed to work together bilaterally on several signature initiatives that will support broader APEC outcomes, with a particular emphasis on human security:
· We will work together to ensure that APEC plans and implements specific and significant actions aimed at sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and food availability, and facilitating agriculture-related trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
· We will organize a Women's Entrepreneurship Summit to address policy, human resources and financing issues, thereby galvanizing the Asia-Pacific region to unleash the potential of women as entrepreneurs and business leaders.
· We will cooperate in addressing climate change by exploring opportunities to help economies in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly small island economies, to be better prepared to adapt to the likely impact of climate change.
· We will cooperate to enhance emergency preparedness in the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on public-private partnerships and networking among experts, building on the outcomes of the Fourth APEC Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum in Kobe in January 2010, and deepening discussions at the Fifth Forum in the United States in 2011.
Beyond these measures, as APEC hosts in 2010 and 2011, Japan and the United States are working closely together to enhance the operations of the APEC organization, with an eye toward improving accountability and efficiency, and ensuring that projects and activities are closely linked to core APEC priorities.
For more information, contact:
Mr. Takuya Sasayama, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
Telephone: 81 (3) 5501 8342
Revival of Ossima beef cattle will boost development
A proposal to revive the once-active Ossima beef cattle project in the Sandaun province is in the best interest of the resource owners, local communities and the country as a whole.
An initiator and former councilor David Osi said the project would create income-earning opportunities and improve the people’s livelihood and restore the once highly regarded Ossima beef products.
MrOsi said the area in the
The Catholic Church previously played a key role in operating the Ossima cattle and slaughterhouse as well as piggery and other livestock and food crops activities.
Mr Osi told a public hearing on the proposed Ossima forest and cattle project last week that many landowners were keen to revive the cattle project because of its enormous potential to provide beef products to consumers in Sandaun and the neighboring Indonesian
The increased population in Vanimo town and other communities through introduction of impact projects will mean more demand for supply of protein.
He said most people still had the knowledge and skills in managing cattle and did not require much training.
However, the key objective is to get the government to provide funding and technical assistance to revive the project.
“We really need government assistance to get the cattle project up and running again,” Mr Osi said.
“Ossima beef used to be highly regarded in the past and can be restored to its former glory.
“There is a lot of potential for beef and other livestock.
“You can grow oil palm but you will need protein to survive and the Ossima project provides that opportunity for the people to raise cattle and utilise the slaughterhouse, and venture into other agricultural activities.
“Nobody is going to come and feed you- you have to work hard on your land.
“Many of you already have the skills.”
Mr Osi said he had received assurances from the provincial government and the local MP that they supported the project and urged other relevant government agencies to work with the landowners in getting the project moving.
“Forget about your differences – we want to see development. The cattle project once up and running will create opportunities and bring increased benefits.”
Vice-chairman of the landowner company Ossima Resources Ltd, Kalistus Kelau and directors Paul Buep and Peter Bopi, said majority of the resource owners fully supported the initiative.
They said cattle beef farming was once a thriving livestock industry under the management of the church and they believed that it could once again become an impact project for the area.
Government officials who attended the hearing said they took note of the comments and would strive to provide technical assistance to intending farmers.
A livestock officer with permits in slaughterhouse and meat inspection, Paul Waiya, said he was now reaching retirement age and urged the project proponents and resource owners to move quickly and utilise his specialist skills.
With over 30 years experience, Mr Waiya worked in Ossima beef most of that time and agreed that it still has vast potential.
Ossima Resources Ltd in partnership with investors is seeking the extraction of timber trees whereby selective sites will be allocated for cattle breeding.
Slaughterhouse facilities at the Ossima station will be upgraded to cater for the redevelopment.
It is expected to benefit more than 10,000 people in the district.
Department of Agriculture and Livestock’s deputy secretary for provincial and agriculture technical services, Francis Daink, said agriculture development was the backbone of the country’s economic development and those new or existing projects would support and improve the people’s livelihood.
He said there was suitable land in the
Over 200 resource owners including clan leaders, women’s representatives, community leaders and individuals unanimously agreed for the project to commence.
Rural women attend AusAID-PNG women talk in Lae
Anna Kapus from Wewak showing Dr John Kolia, chairman of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Council various oils she produced out of coconut oil at the Women in Agriculture round table conference. Mrs Kapus is showing the next stage of agriculture production which is downstream processing - taking the primary produce to the next level.-Pictures by OSEAH PHILEMON
Samantha Gangai (seated) who is a research assistant with the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) promoting healthy eating by showing women in agriculture how to prepare a delicious meal out of mung bean sprouts, vegetables and rice. She had samples out and everyone who tasted it commented favourably about it.
This is Waghi Rice- rice grown and packed in Wahgi in Jiwaka province.From left- Yara Kagl, Monica Ape and Anna Ane display the rice they
Just harvested from their rice fields in the Wahgi area of the Jiwaka area.
The women of Southern Highlands travelled a long distance to get to Lae for the Women in Agriculture roundtable talks. This is Martha Yawij, president of the Tari LNG women who are involved in vegetable and livestock production in the Tari-Hides LNG area.These women have a huge potential for their produce with the LNG project just starting.
WOMEN from Gabsongkeg village near Nadzab entertaining visiting delegates to the women in agriculture roundtable conference at NARI near Lae.
Susie Silas from Busanim Yalu outside Lae displaying her flowers at the Women in Agriculture roundtable conference. Horticulture is one of the agriculture businesses being talked about at the conference.
Who would beat giant guavas?These are the fruits from the Nglonzua Farm at Munum Village near Lae being displayed by young grower Leilah Gugua at the Women in Agriculture show.These guavas are selling for K4 a fruit.
By SENIORL ANZU of NARI
The PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation (PNGWiADF), with support from AusAID, hosted the meeting on possible organisational support towards PNG women in the agriculture sector.
PNGWiADF president Maria Linibi said the immediate outcome expected from this forum was to establish collaboration and partnership with various stakeholders, government agencies and donor partners to fund and/or implement components of the PNGWIADF Strategic Plan.
While the high-level talk was scheduled for yesterday, the rural women farmers attended a capacity-building workshop on Monday, followed by a knowledge-sharing field day the next day to showcase their agricultural innovations and potentials.
Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc gave the keynote address while Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Anton Benjamin chaired the roundtable talk.
Among the dignitaries was Minister for Agriculture John Hickey and representatives from various government agencies, international donors such as AusAID and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Australian Women in Agriculture, Rural Industries Council, National Agriculture Research Institute and women leaders and farmers.
Ms Linibi said the three-day event was also to gain recognition of the role of PNGWiADF as the voice of women in agriculture who contribute to food security through the implementation of the PNGWiADF strategic plan.
“In staging the round-table forum, PNGWiADF is bringing women’s voices to the attention of donor partners, line government agencies and other stakeholders to recognise its strategic plan as a plan for all rural women who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods,” she said.
“The plan was developed by the women and it echoes and complements other macro plans such as the Millennium Development Goals, PNG Vision 2050, Medium Term Development Strategy (2005-2010), National Agriculture Development Plan (2006-2016), and NARI Strategic Plan (2006-2015).
Among those who traveled to Lae this week were individuals and groups from Kikori (Gulf), Kutubu and Moran (Southern Highlands), Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Sandaun, East Sepik, Hiritano, Oro, East New Britain, Maprik, Aitape Laumi, Abau, Madang, Bougainville, Sogeri, Ramu, Mutzing, Mumeng and Markham.
The forum’s minor sponsors included Trukai Industries, PNG Democratic Governance, NARI, Rural Industries Council, Momahi Guest House, Tropical Niugini Woods and Australian Women in Agriculture.
Women in agriculture
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Women from the Mumeng area of the Bulolo District in Morobe province display their garden produce at the Mumeng in Agriculture meet at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) station at Bubia outside Lae.-Picture by OSEAH PHILEMON
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