Promoting chicken farming in Manus

Words and picture by ROSELYN ELLISON

 

Dorcas Popan is very busy feeding her six-weeks-old chickens at Ward Two in Lorengau, Manus province, when I catch up with her.

Ms Popan said chicken meat was in very high demand in Manus.

"I can also see that it is a good business,” she says.

Ms Popan is selling her chickens for K30 each

'Women must blame themselves for lack of development'

Caption: PNG Women farmers formulating their own strategic plan in Lae recently

 

 By JOSEPHINE YAGA of NARI

 

Issues hampering the development of Papua New Guinea women rest within themselves, according to food technologist Dr Jane Ravusiro.

 She said women cried for equality and respect from male counterparts, and yet, they lacked co-operation, respect and most importantly the determination to support and push women issues to another level.

 “Gossiping about and discouraging ourselves is prevalent,” Dr Ravusiro said.

 Dr Ravusiro, a food technologist with the PNG Cocoa Coconut Institute, highlighted this during the PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation roundtable talk at Bubia in Lae recently.

 ‘To empower the 90% of PNG women in rural areas, we need good teamwork with positive attitudes with respect for each others’ opinions,” she said.

“Only than will women’s voices become strong and men will realise that rural women are a great force with a voice contributing to the development of this country.

 “Let us not blame men for our weaknesses.

 “We should appreciate their support since most men are not as bad as many women would think.

 “Most men are understandable and respectful and without them we would miss this forum.”

 Dr Ravusiro was speaking to about 23 registered groups and 12 associate members of PNGWiADF, covering 13 provinces and representing 3,000 women networks, who participated in the forum.

 The women shared a strong commitment to make a difference in their agricultural practices and wellbeing through knowledge sharing and information exchange, training and practical support.

With the theme ‘Recognising Women’s Agricultural Innovations through Dialogue’, the forum was an initiative of the PNGWiADF to gain recognition of its role as the voice of women in agriculture.

 The objective of the forum was for PNGWiADF to bring rural women’s voice to the attention of key stakeholders, donor partners and line government agencies which participated and collectively develop a strategic plan for women in agriculture.

 The strategic plan was drafted by members representing various registered groups and it echoed and complemented other plans such as NARI ‘s Strategic Plan 2006-2015, National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP), Medium Term Development  Strategy 2005-2010 (MTDS) and Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

 The success of achievements of PNGWiADF has been through effective partnerships and relationships it has established through building trust with its partners within the country and internationally.

 Networks were developed and relationships established with ACIAR, Crawford Fund, Australian Women In Agriculture, Minister for Queensland Primary Industries, Forest and Regional Australia Tim Mulherin, Parliamentary Secretary for International Aid Bob McMullan, Community of South Pacific, Commonwealth of Learning – Canada, US Embassy in PNG, NZ Aid, AusAid, NARI, National Department of Agriculture and Livestock, and the private and the public sector in PNG.

 President of PNGWiADF, Maria Linibi said, the relationship and trust of these organisations and individuals has enabled the organisation to set the foundation for a new era in the development outcomes for the rural majority.

 

Agricultural courses on offer at HAC

Caption:  Certificate in agriculture farming graduates listen to guest speakers during their graduation last December

 

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

 

Highlands Agricultural College (HAC) in Mount Hagen is offering agribusiness management training courses for the general public.

The college, operated by the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), has invited people working in agriculture and livestock industries and others to apply.

The agribusiness management course was formerly known as the plantation management training programme (PMTP).

The objective of the programme, reintroduced at the college three years ago, is to produce skilled graduates for the plantation sector and train field supervisors, cadet managers and graduates for family estates.

HAC acting principal Philip Senat said the college played an important role in conducting training for the agricultural sector workforce.

He said the demand for such agricultural training was high due to the growing agriculture sector and its importance as the backbone of the country’s economy.

 He said training of agricultural workers was an important activity being carried out by DAL through the college.

The college has in recent years introduced short to medium-term training programmes on specific agricultural topics besides the post-certificate diploma (PCD) in tropical agriculture.

This is to enable more agricultural workers and school leavers to be trained or refresh their knowledge and skills in agriculture.

 Mr Senat said this year, in addition to the pcd programme and certificate in agriculture farming,  the college was also offering the agribusiness management course and participants would receive certificates in operational skills and management skills.

 The courses are for plantation field supervisors, didiman store workers, assistant farm workers, co-operative farmers, and self-employed farmers.

 These applicants must have minimum qualification of Grade 10.

A certificate in management skills course (year two) is also available for those graduates who have successfully completed the operational skills course with PMTP under agribusiness management programme.

Course participants will be required to pay tuition fees and other fees, set by the college.

Boarders for the management skills course will pay a total of K1, 750 while day students will pay K1, 110.

 Operational skills participant boarders will pay K1, 550 and day students will pay K910.

The courses will commence on Aug 30.

Mr Senat said that unfortunately the college could only enroll a limited number of students during the year.

This is due mainly to limited accommodation facilities.

He urged interested people to contact the college on 76982419, 5202381, 5202384, or 76982417.

Positive impact by Chinese experts at agriculture college

Captions: 1. From left are  HAC farm manager Logan Pyapowa, upland rice expert Zhang Baozin, vegetable expert Chen Guangxu and Xin Zongbao inspecting some rice varieties on trial.2. Farm manager Logan Pyapowa points out something while having discussions with the Chinese experts. Team Leader Xin Zongbao is on the left.

 

 

The presence of a Chinese technical cooperation team at the Highlands Agricultural College has been a boost to staff and students.

The team of specialists arrived in the country late last year and has been providing technical support to the farmer training programme conducted by the college and other related activities.

The team’s objective is to address food security issues through training programmes and use of appropriate technology.

So far its technical co-operation assistance has benefited both the college students and trainees and farmers.

Team leader Xin Zongbao said his team of six specialists brought with them farming equipment including tractor, rice threshers, milling machines and huller.

They planted four different varieties of rice from China on trial basis and will be multiplying the rice seeds and after harvesting and milling, will get the people to taste the rice.

He said the trial plots looked promising at this stage and further evaluation would be carried out to select the most-suitable variety in terms of production, taste, fewer pest and disease and consumer preference.

The team is also working on a number of vegetable trials.

HAC, operated by the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, is appreciative of the collaborative work being carried out with the Chinese team.

Farm director Logan Pyapowa said the Chinese had been working closely with staff and students and as a result there were positive changes in the college.

“We are learning a lot from the Chinese specialists, especially on having positive attitudes towards our work,” he said.

“They are very hard working they will continue working until the task is completed, spending long hours in the field.

“We really appreciate working with the Chinese team.

“We are also learning other things such as maintenance of farming equipment.

“I do not regret working side-by-side and learning from the Chinese.”

Mr Zongbao said he believed that there was a lot of potential for rice production especially upland rice in the Highlands region.

He is confident that the current rice trials at the college will prove successful and suitable varieties can be distributed to farmers for transplanting.

NARI to show resource centre

Caption: A model resource centre being built at Bubia near Lae for the 2010 agricultural innovations show next Wednesday

 

Story and picture by JOSEPHINE YAGA of NARI

 

Community-based resource centre, a concept promoted by National Agriculture Research Institute as a ‘one stop centre’ for information exchange and knowledge sharing at village level, will be showcased at Bubia near Lae next Wednesday (May 5 2010).

This will be a highlight of the 2010 Agricultural Innovations Show organised by NARI at its headquarters at Bubia.

Chairman of show organising committee Dr John Bailey said a model resource centre would be on display fully equipped with information and resources that would be made available to some 50 centres throughout the drought vulnerable regions of PNG under a new project.

Farmers and development partners are invited to see the centre and hear from NARI about the concept which can support extension and information dissemination in rural PNG.

NARI is promoting the concept to facilitate information exchange and technology transfer in rural areas in which farmers can have access to new and improved technologies and innovations, which can help them improve their farming practices and thereby enhancing their food security, increased income earning opportunities and improved welfare.

The rationale is to bridge the gap between farmers, communities and researchers, and help empower farmers and their communities with improved skills, techniques, materials and knowledge for decision-making.

The model centre is being developed as part of NARI’s national drought preparedness project funded by the Government.

The project is titled ‘Preparing rural communities for frequent and prolonged El Niño-induced drought events’, and will be launched during the show.

During the show, the model resource centre will be fully contented with demonstrations and information on drought coping strategies both indoor and outdoor. Indoor exhibits will be on food processing, preservation and storage.

Outdoor show will have food drying, water sourcing, irrigation and integrated farming.

Although this will be done for agricultural development and disaster management, the idea is that the centre can also be used for health, education, law and order, and other issues of significance to community development.

The resource centre concept is a new initiative and innovative approach being proposed by NARI in order to find alternative, cost-effective and efficient ways of reaching and linking people to address the core challenges of information exchange, technology adaptation and transfer, and innovation by farmers.

 

FW: NARI to show resource centre

Caption: A model resource centre being built at Bubia near Lae for the 2010 agricultural innovations show next Wednesday

 

Story and picture by JOSEPHINE YAGA of NARI

 

Community-based resource centre, a concept promoted by National Agriculture Research Institute as a ‘one stop centre’ for information exchange and knowledge sharing at village level, will be showcased at Bubia near Lae next Wednesday (May 5 2010).

This will be a highlight of the 2010 Agricultural Innovations Show organised by NARI at its headquarters at Bubia.

Chairman of show organising committee Dr John Bailey said a model resource centre would be on display fully equipped with information and resources that would be made available to some 50 centres throughout the drought vulnerable regions of PNG under a new project.

Farmers and development partners are invited to see the centre and hear from NARI about the concept which can support extension and information dissemination in rural PNG.

NARI is promoting the concept to facilitate information exchange and technology transfer in rural areas in which farmers can have access to new and improved technologies and innovations, which can help them improve their farming practices and thereby enhancing their food security, increased income earning opportunities and improved welfare.

The rationale is to bridge the gap between farmers, communities and researchers, and help empower farmers and their communities with improved skills, techniques, materials and knowledge for decision-making.

The model centre is being developed as part of NARI’s national drought preparedness project funded by the Government.

The project is titled ‘Preparing rural communities for frequent and prolonged El Niño-induced drought events’, and will be launched during the show.

During the show, the model resource centre will be fully contented with demonstrations and information on drought coping strategies both indoor and outdoor. Indoor exhibits will be on food processing, preservation and storage.

Outdoor show will have food drying, water sourcing, irrigation and integrated farming.

Although this will be done for agricultural development and disaster management, the idea is that the centre can also be used for health, education, law and order, and other issues of significance to community development.

The resource centre concept is a new initiative and innovative approach being proposed by NARI in order to find alternative, cost-effective and efficient ways of reaching and linking people to address the core challenges of information exchange, technology adaptation and transfer, and innovation by farmers.

 

Northern needs K500 million for infrastructure restoration

By SOLDIER BURUKA of Department of Agriculture and Livestock

Northern province needs about K500 million to rebuild infrastructure facilities including bridges and culverts that were destroyed during the 2007 Cyclone Guba.

Member for Ijivitari and Vice-Minister for Education, David Arore, called on the Government to provide major funding for rehabilitation and restoration of basic infrastructure and communication services and to return the province to normalcy.

He said the Northern population of 135,000 had contributed to the overall development of the country and deserved better treatment from the Government.

He said up to K500 million was needed to be spent on repairing and building permanent infrastructure facilities and services in the cyclone-devastated province.

In formally opening the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC) Southern Regional Development Forum in Popondetta last week, Mr Arore urged the participants to take note of the people’s concerns and raise the matter with appropriate authorities.

Amidst loud applause from the public who watched the formal opening, Mr Arore said people’s everyday livelihood was affected due to inaccessible roads, damaged bridges and culverts, inadequate communication, limited air transport services, high cost of transport and other constraints.

 He said farmers were finding it difficult to transport their agricultural produce to markets, small businesses were collapsing and essential government services were not reaching the people.

He called on the authorities to ensure that permanent infrastructure was put in place and “not half baked” or temporary facilities which needed repairs and regular maintenance.

“Oro people have served this country in many ways and deserved better treatment from the government.

“We want development to come into this province.”

Mr Arore proposed that a road be built to connect Popondetta through Safia and Kokoda to Kupiano in the Central province in light of the LNG and economic growth predicted in the near future.

He said Oro was blessed with many natural resources but it lacked adequate infrastructure facilities to move the province forward.

 The delegates attending the forum were taken on a tour of the damaged bridges and culverts along the Kokoda Highway and towards Oro Bay.

CIMC executive officer Ms Marjorie Andrew, in her opening remarks at the start of the session, said the forum was to discuss a range of important transport and communication issues facing the Southern Region provinces of Oro, Milne Bay, Central, Gulf and Western.

She said the theme “access to adequate transport and communication infrastructure and services: the vital links in the development chain”   was appropriate and timely. 

Ms Andrew said the transport sector was said to be the forgotten link in the development chain.

“It has provided the backbone for the social and economic development of Papua New Guinea,” she said.

“The importance of transport is often only recognised when it doesn’t perform or when disaster occurs.

“Investment in the country’s road networks, ports and airports is necessary for facilitating growth in the economy.

“Increases in freight and passenger movements have provided the platform for rapid growth in other economies – which have resulted in real increases in wealth and living standards.

“Despite the fact that there have been huge budget appropriations for transport, there is a need for significantly more investment over the next few decades in PNG.

“Adequate transport and communication is essential for the well being of everything in the development chain. 

“We cannot have law and order without it, we cannot have social services delivered without it, and farmers and businesses could not get their produce to markets to sell.

“As the transport system deteriorates in PNG, not being adequately maintained and unable to take the increased demand, we do feel the effects of a failing infrastructure. 

“Poor quality rural road networks, closed airstrips, and crumbling wharves, are indeed a weak platform for development.”

Ms Andrew said she was sorry to see the many bridges that had been washed away along the Kokoda Highway and even more disappointed that little had been done to repair and replace these bridges along a designated national road that has the Northern Province Restoration Authority set up to fix it. 

“Just imagine the impact that has had on the social and economic life of Sohe District and even the province.

“In order for PNG to compete in world trade, we must have adequate infrastructure in place to enable our businesses to compete.”

Ms Andrew said the large increase in global trade and services that was forecast would require new transport corridors, efficient handling and logistics services, and increased mobility of labour, goods and services, as well as reduced time and costs.

“PNG is now feeling that the current transport infrastructure cannot take the LNG projects, let alone increases in international trade,” she said.

“We are facing a serious dilemma here, and need to give political and financial priority to transport and communication infrastructure and services.”