HIV/AIDS will impact on agriculture and food production

By JAMES LARAKI of NARI

HIV/AIDS is already having a noticeable impact on households’ ability to produce their own food.

Escalating labour shortages are reported in some African countries due to high HIV/AIDS prevalence.

Food insecurity, labour shortage, loss of household income, shift in the type farming practices and loss of knowledge on traditional method of farming are some of the effects that HIV/AIDS could have on agricultural development.

Until recently, HIV/AIDS was considered to be mainly a health issue and programmes for combating the epidemic were managed by health science and health-related organisations.  However, the impact of HIV/AIDS on development programmes experienced in countries where HIV/AIDS prevalence is high, has forced the health and other development agencies to approach the problem from different angles.

 The epidemic is now an important cross-sectoral development issue, which has far-reaching implications for policy and programs at every level than currently envisaged by leaders, policy makers and the public at large.

According the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, over seven million agricultural workers have died of AIDS since it was first detected in 1982.

Studies conducted by FAO in African countries with high HIV AIDS prevalence have found farming families affected by the epidemic are substituting cash crops for crops which require less labour.

 FAO observed that Gwanda and Nakyerira regions of Uganda have abandoned coffee in favour of cultivated cassava and banana, which require less attention and care.

Affected families have also stopped cultivating rice in favour of maize and cassava. FAO also observed that affected families in Zimbabwe have replaced cotton and groundnut (peanut) with maize.

While the impact of HIV/ AIDS is not yet seriously felt in Papua New Guinea, it is quite clear that the epidemic would have an impact on our agriculture and food production system, if it is allowed to spread at the current trend and not contained quickly (Figure 1).

 This poses serious challenges to our agriculture and food production system, as up to 85% of the people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

 Therefore, the agriculture sector cannot continue with business as usual but must join hands with other partners to jointly address the epidemic.

Figure 1: Total number of HIV infections reported annually from 1987 – 2008 in PNG. Source: UNGASS 2010, Country Progress Report Papua New Guinea.

Key stakeholders in the agriculture sector need to understand and prepare for the likely impact of HIV/AIDS on our food and agricultural systems.

They need to develop strategies to address the likely impact that HIV/AIDS would have, particularly in relation to food, nutrition, and labour requirements.

It is important to explore which agricultural systems are being or will be affected in what ways and what aspects of each agricultural system are most vulnerable.

This will help identify and formulate strategies for the way forward for sustainable agricultural development.

It is essential for agricultural research and development (R&D) organisations to develop strategies to address issues concerning what is happening, what is likely to happen, what can be done, what are the likely responses, and gender issues.

It would appear that policies and strategies currently in place aimed at promoting or improving agriculture in PNG have not given serious enough considerations to the detrimental impacts and implications of HIV/AIDS.

NARI is aware of these issues and has initiated necessary steps to address the problem effectively by mainstreaming HIV AIDS.

Not only is the institute concerned with minimising risks and disruption and distress at its workplaces, but also with orienting its R&D activities to minimise and/or alleviate the effects of the epidemic on farming systems and agricultural communities.

To strengthen its commitment, the institute developed and launched its HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy in 2007 which emphasises NARI’s concern on the rapid spread of the epidemic, especially in the rural areas where NARI’s work is focussed.

NARI workplace policy is intended to provide guidelines for the institute practices with respect to its mandate and stakeholders, and the mainstreaming of strategies to deal with the implications of the epidemic in its core research and development activities.

While NARI and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector have initiated steps at organisation level to address the epidemic, the way forward is to approach the problem collectively, as the impact is likely to affect the entire agricultural sector, from food crops to plantations and livestock.

The future impact of HIV/AIDS on agriculture will depend, among other things, on finding ways to reduce the labour requirement by introducing less labour-intensive methods of production and farm mechanisation with simple agricultural tools.

 It is anticipated that the epidemic would intensify labour shortages, increase food insecurity, loss of household income, shift in farming systems, and loss of knowledge about traditional farming methods.

The HIV/AIDS and gender component of the Agricultural Research and Development Support Facility funded by AusAID is one of the avenues that could be used to bring together all stakeholders to address the epidemic collectively.

 This also presents an opportunity to review and revise R&D programmes and design interventions to address and mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS.

This is the time to start thinking and acting seriously about integrating HIV/AIDS in agricultural R&D programmes.

The task looks more complex than many may think and it is important for the agriculture sector to act now.

Richard Ashton Carver 'the Butterfly Man'

Friends and family of longtime Goroka and Eastern Highlands province resident, Richard Ashton Carver, are advised of his passing in Goroka on Sunday, July 25.

Born 1^st September 1916, died 25 July 2010.

A dinosaur from a bygone era, Richard was a man with a great work ethic, great ingenuity and bucket loads of tenacity.Apart from his many achievements – he will be most remembered for his tenacity and will to live – clearly demonstrated in the past few years, where with the help of a few friends he ‘escaped’ from an Australian nursing home, which had left him unable to move, bedridden, and without all his mental faculties.Upon returning back to PNG, he threw out his medication and little by little began to move his body again.He progressed to a wheelchair, and only two weeks before his death, Richard had progressed to the point where he stood up and walked …… much to the surprise of all family members.His speech, hearing and mental ability had all returned to normal.It was true testimony to his fighting spirit and will to live.Dearly missed by friends and family.

Funeral Service:  Wednesday 28 July 2010 at 1200 pm, St Johns Lutheran Church
Burial:  Wednesday 28 July 2010 at 4.00pmPark Ridge Estates

Sir Brian Bell passes on

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has expressed deep sorrow over the death of businessman Sir Brian Bell (pictured) in Brisbane, Australia, yesterday, The National reports.

To many, Sir Brian, 82, could be described as a great man of the people; an honoured gentleman and citizen and a friend of Papua New Guinea.

Over the years, Brian Bell had become Mr B, a nametag that had stayed on until his death.

“Sir Brian has made considerable contributions to his adopted country Papua New Guinea for more than 50 years in business development and innumerable humanitarian causes.

“I take my hat off to this pioneer businessman who contributed to various organisations such as being chairman of the Port Moresby General Hospital until his death.

“He also served as deputy lord mayor of Port Moresby, a member of the PNG lands board, the Salvation Army advisory board and the PNG law and order committee.

“He was at one time chairman of UPNG Foundation, the NCD South Pacific Festival of Arts (1980) and the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. Sir Brian also served as patrons of AIESEC PNG University and the Port Moresby City Mission.

“Apart from setting up a school just outside Port Moresby, Sir Brian also helped in offering scholarships and funding to many needy and deserving young Papua New Guineans.”

The man from Cinchilla, Queensland, has been in PNG for longer than he has ever been at home and, for most of his years here, he has been a citizen.

Sir Brian, CSM, KBE, C.St.J, was knighted by the Queen for his many contributions to business and charity in PNG.

“PNG has recognised his invaluable contributions and bestowed upon him a number of well-earned awards over the years,” Sir Michael said.

Sir Brian was also the honorary consul-general of Norway and Sweden.

“On behalf of Papua New Guineans, Lady Veronica and my family, I sincerely thank the late Sir Brian’s family for his many contributions.

“He will be remembered by many whose lives he touched,” Sir Michael said.

Sir Brian was an icon who had been at the helm of his business everyday since he began in 1961, and had singularly been responsible for building up a

quality conscious non-food mercantile, hardware, home and electrical appliances business in Papua New Guinea – expanding from Port Moresby to Lae, Kokopo, Madang, Mt Hagen and other smaller towns in the country.

Brian Bell & Company Ltd has become one of Papua New Guinea`s premier retailer, wholesaler and distributor of non-food and clothing products companies.

Through its extensive branch and distribution network, it offers a wide range of products and services to businesses, aid agencies, mining companies, government departments and individuals throughout the country.

Brian Bell`s retail network comprises 10 retail outlets and more than 25 distribution agencies in all major commercial centres in PNG.

Polye to contest Prime Minister's post

ACTING Prime Minister Don Polye has made known his intentions to contest the prime minister’s post, The National reports.

Polye said he would make public his candidacy at the National Alliance party convention in the Jiwaka region next month.

He told reporters that there must be a strike of balance between all the other regions of the country, with Paias Wingti being the only prime minister from the region.

“Now is the time to give a chance to the highlands region,” Polye said.

He was speaking after announcing the ministerial portfolios of the new ministers last Thursday.

“With the new ministries, I do not think the Somare-Polye government will fall.

“The opposition cannot go and oust a government when you do not have a notice in parliament,” Polye said.

He said the opposition was trying to mislead the public and create instability within government.

The new cabinet ministers and their portfolios are Lucas Dekena (Lands), Francis Potape (Climate Change), Moses Maladina (Trade), Benjamin Poponawa ( Civil Aviation and Immigration), John Pundari (Mining), Timothy Bonga (Forest), Guma Wau (Culture and Tourism) and Fidelis Semoso (Bougainville Affairs).

The climate change, trade and immigration are new ministries.

“I ask the people of PNG, the public and private sectors to accord the new ministers their full support and cooperation.”

Polye said the new team would be the backbone of the new-look Somare-Polye government, stressing that the team would not be moved in any political horse trading.

He said the aim of the new group was to go into cabinet to discuss and review some of the controversial and much debated issues such as the amendments to the Ombudsman Commission Act.

He said other bills brought before parliament would also be reviewed by the new leaders.

“Nation building is not only to do with individuals with picks and shovels, plants and equipment or saws and hammers,’’ Polye said. “It is more so with the building of the culture in the mind and heart of hard work, strive, thrifty, industrious, honesty and justice in Papua New Guineans, children, women and men.

“A society of high standard in values and principles is what we must build,” Polye said.

Trade Minister Moses Maladina said the Ombudsman Commission Bill was introduced as a private member’s bill and he would also bring that up in cabinet for further discussion.

 

 

Remember their sacrifices: Governor General

THE stories of those brave men and women who fought in World War II  to make it possible for  us to have the freedom we enjoy today, must be properly documented and placed prominently in our national history, Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane said, The National reports.

Speaking at the 29th Remembrance Day ceremony in Port Moresby last Friday, Sir Paulias said this would “instil pride in us at their sacrifice and to remember them forever”.

“This history is an obligation for Papua New Guineans to remember the heroes who fought and helped, not just in the war, but also during the Bougainville crisis, so we can live to see this day,” he said.

Hosted by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, the celebration was themed “Building a strong and prosperous nation”, which Sir Paulias said was the reflection of the war, their efforts and the hardships and challenges that go into nation-building.

He said one such challenge was that children of today were not taught the importance and significance of Remembrance Day.

“I urge parents to ensure that their children understand the day and do not miss these ceremonies just because none of their relatives died,” the governor-general said.

“Children of today and tomorrow have the obligation to remember these brave people because their rights to be remembered far outweigh our rights to forget.”

Sir Paulias said we all must remember and know that it was when Australia realised that they were alone in the war that indigenous people of PNG assisted them, adding that this led to their continued relationship between both nations  today.

“There is no greater love from a man than to lay down his life for another, and it is this selflessness and humility which are some of the key virtues in our

constitution that we must embrace and practice to build a strong and prosperous nation,’’ he said.

“Let us emulate spirit and dedication of our heroes.”

Flower power for East New Britain women

Story and picture by ELIZABETH VUVU

 

Floriculture is one of the new endeavours currently being promoted strongly in East New Britain to provide womenfolk the opportunity to cultivate and sell plants and flowers to contribute to household income generation.

Last weekend a first-of-its-kind flower show was held at Vunapope Diocese Hall to make the public more aware of this potential.

The flower show is only the second project under the East New Britain Women and Youth in Agriculture partnership with National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI), Cocoa Coconut Institute (CCI) and Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL).

The first project is the commercialising of taro in which the women in agriculture have promoted the great potential in exporting taro as a cash commodity.

Pictured here are some mothers in ENB displaying their plants.

Planning Papua New Guinea's future in cofee

CIC staff led by company secretary Sally Maladina (standing at back),  while from right Kaiyo Kana, Rose Romalus, Matei Labun and Ingu Bofeng discuss in their group

By AUGUSTINE DOMINIC of CIC

The Coffee Industry Corporation can effectively deliver its services right down to coffee farmers and stakeholders in the districts level with a new business plan drawn up recently.

Chief executive officer of CIC Navi Anis said during the closing of a two-week planning workshop in Lae last week that the plan highlighted specific issues that CIC needed to prioritise and design projects to implement the needed service.

He said the business plan translated the revised PNG Coffee Industry Strategic Plan (PNGCISP), 2008-2018 to achievable and measurable objectives and projects for implementation.

The plan targets both the remote and accessible areas of Papua New Guinea that grow either Arabica or Robusta coffee.

Depending on project priority and funding, CIC aims to improve its services to the districts under the six main thematic areas: productivity; scale of production; marketing systems; information and communication; legal and policy; and capacity building.

Workshop facilitator Dr Simba Simbanda encouraged the participants, especially from CIC, to believe in themselves and take ownership of the plan in order to implement it and achieve the desired results.

The workshop was funded by the Australian Research and Development Support Facility (ARDSF) via AusAID and is a follow-up of various other workshops being held since 2009 and early 2010 to translate the PNGCISP into achievable plans.

Various workshop participants expressed great satisfaction for gaining the programme planning knowledge.

Manager for CIC’s industry regulation and compliance Sam Menaga said such knowledge was offered at university level and was gained over a number of years, however, he was fortunate to be part of the process.

CIC board director James Korarome shared similar sentiments and encouraged CIC staff to work together to being the services to coffee farmers and other stakeholders.

“When I was outside, I complained a lot that CIC was not doing much for the coffee farmers in the country, but since I became involved in the programme planning process of CIC, I can understand the constraints that CIC faces to deliver its services,” he said.