Chinese look at agriculture potential in Central province

A team of government officials from China were in PNG last week to discuss agricultural technical assistance.

The six-member delegation from Liaoning province met with officials from the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), Central provincial government and others during their short visit.

The delegation was led by Peng Jianliang, deputy director-general of the Bureau of State Farms, Ministry of Agriculture.

The visit was a result of the memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation signed in 1993, between the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and DAL.

During the visit to DAL headquarters, the Chinese and DAL officials held cordial discussions and reached an agreement in the areas of hybrid corn technical cooperation and agricultural technical training.

The team also visited potential sites in Central.

The two parties agreed to co-operate in a number of areas including the establishment of an agricultural training centre or college at Mirigeda, outside Port Moresby, potential in food production within Central, private sector investments in developing the agriculture sector.

It was agreed that training at all levels in agriculture was an important aspect and with the technology provided in a conducive training environment, it could have a greater impact in terms of transforming agriculture in the province and the country.

On food production, the officials agreed that the potential of food production, especially grain (corn) was huge in Central, and the Chinese have the expertise and technology to support the grain industry.

The Chinese also expressed interest in a number of impact projects, in which they could provide investment input.

The team also had a fruitful discussion with Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Sir Puka Temu, and mentioned the possibility of the minister making a visit to China.

Women farmers want reduced transport costs

Women farmers in Milne Bay say the high cost of transportation is a big obstacle to the sale of agricultural produce.

The women, members of the Natu Aida Cooperative Society of Goodenough Island, are calling on the government to look into their plight.

These women, who usually grow and sell yams, said that they were working hard to transport and market their yams and other produce to markets in Alotau and Port Moresby.

The society, made up of 36 women from Waikewala village in the Bolubolu district, is keen to organise the women and help in assisting with transportation and accessibility to markets. However, the high costs of transportation are a big problem.

The women also decried the lack of basic services in the Bolubolu district.

Group leader, Theresa Bobby, who recently visited the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) in Port Moresby, said that women worked hard in growing yams and other produce, but when it came to marketing and transportation, the women felt really disappointed because they could not sell the produce.

Bobby said when women transported their yams to Alotau town by boat, they spent between K15 and K20, depending on the size of each bag.

“Often, the women want to take more bags of yams but they cannot afford the high fees.

“We need more assistance in terms of agriculture and skills development courses.

“We are looking for ways and means to improve the lives of our mothers and families,” she said.

Bobby said the government, through DAL and relevant agencies, should consider the transport costs and try to assist the women in rural communities.

Her group is concerned that they have to travel all the way to Port Moresby to talk to government authorities.

Weed succumbs to biocontrol in PNG, shows long term study

Kunibert Tibil, District Administrator, Kavieng, New Ireland, holding dead stems of chromolanea with galls (photo: W.Orapa)

Smallholder farmers in Papua New Guinea continue to benefit from the introduction of a biocontrol agent of one of the world’s worst weeds through a project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
By 1998, the weed chromolaena (Chromolaena odorata) had invaded many subsistence farms in PNG, smothering crops such as taro, cassava and paw paw, along with plantation crops such as coconuts, oil palm and cocoa.
Today, where farms and roadsides were once choked with the weed, other useful plants are growing, and landholders, having saved countless hours of weeding, have more time to grow more produce for food and sale.

Gall fly effective

From 1998 to 2007, three biocontrol agents were introduced into PNG through the ACIAR project led by Michael Day of the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation in association with Warea Orapa and Ingu Bofeng of the PNG National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).
The gall fly (Cecidochares connexa) proved to be the most successful agent introduced.
It was released at over 350 sites in all provinces where chromolaena occurred and established at 300 sites. Following establishment, it spread naturally to a further 350 sites.
“The research showed that, as the number of galls created by the flies increased, branches of chromolaena died, reducing biomass and flower and seed production,” said Mr Day.
At the completion of the project, socioeconomic surveys of nearly 200 landowners found over 80% of respondents thought there was much less chromolaena than before the gall fly was released.
About 70% said they were benefitting from the control of the weed, with half saying their weeding times were reduced, and control costs had fallen 45%.
ver 60% said their crop yields and income had increased as a result of the control of the weed.

Long-term benefits

Five years later, an adoption study recently published by ACIAR (http://aciar.gov.au/publication/CP45) found that the benefits of the project are continuing.
“Information on chromolaena distribution and the status of the gall fly is still being used by NARI officers to both check whether the gall fly is present and to conduct opportunistic releases if the gall fly is not present,” said Mr Day.
“Landowners report that the gall fly has made a substantial difference and some are still moving the insect to new areas.
"Other landowners are now reducing the level of burning or leaving patches of chromolaena to ensure populations of the gall fly are maintained.
“Nearly 70% of landowners who had chromolaena on their farms reported some benefits as a result of the gall fly.
"The major benefit has been the reduced weeding time required to maintain food gardens, allowing landholders to increase the size of their blocks, thus increasing yield and income,” Mr Day said.

Regional differences

While chromolaena has been significantly reduced in most provinces where it was present, there is variation depending on land use and climate according to Mr Day.
“In New Ireland, where we first introduced the gall fly, there has been very good control and socioeconomic impact studies suggested that the landholders are benefiting,” he said.
“In the drier provinces, such as Morobe, control is slower and less complete.
"In West New Britain, which is considerably wetter than most other provinces, control has not been as good and chromolaena remains a problem because the gall fly needs sunny days with temperatures over 30 °C to mate.”
The benefits of this biocontrol project will continue to flow through the community, with the gall fly suppressing populations of chromolaena, spreading naturally throughout areas where the weed is present, and being relocated by landowners into new areas as the weed spreads.

International benefits

Through various international workshops and publications, the news of the outcomes of the chromolaena biocontrol project in PNG has resulted in other countries also introducing the gall fly.
Mr Day reports that the gall fly was introduced into East Timor in 2005 and Thailand in 2009.
An application has recently been submitted to introduce the gall fly into Kenya.
In addition, China, Taiwan and Palau have all expressed interest in importing the agent.
Controlling chromolaena in neighbouring countries to Australia helps farmers increase food security in those countries, reduces the risk of the weed spreading to other neighbouring countries such as the Solomon Islands thus reducing the risk of further spread into Australia, and increases Australia's expertise in weed control.

PIAF hosts participatory research workshop on experiences of treatment among PLHIV in the Pacific

The Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF) has embarked on a participatory research project that aims to explore experiences of treatment among HIV-positive people in six Pacific Island countries, and build the capacity of people living with HIV (PLHIV) to actively participate and contribute to HIV-related research.
This follows a workshop hosted by PIAF to introduce participants to HIV treatment and care, research and research methods, and to collaboratively design the project as a group.
The workshop participants included eight people living with HIV from around the region.
The first three days of the workshop focused on increasing the participants’ knowledge of different aspects of HIV-related treatment with sessions on emotional and psychological health, HIV and opportunistic infections, ART adherence and sexual reproductive health, and peer support.
The participants then embarked on the challenges of clarifying the aims of the project and mapping out the research, under the guidance of Karen McMillan from the International HIV Research Group of University of New South Wales, with support from Sesenieli Naitala.
The workshop also created the opportunity for participants to discuss ethical issues and practice conducting in-depth interviews.
On the last day of the workshop, the participants presented the project and some reflections on the process of collaboratively developing the project to the working group and PIAF staff members.
PIAF’s research officer, Hilary Gorman who is coordinating the project said: “The workshop was a success as participants were engaged and committed to exploring the issue of HIV treatment in their own countries and the wider Pacific Islands region.”
The workshop was made possible with the support of the Pacific Islands HIV and STI Response Fund, and took place at the Fiji National University, College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Science campus in Suva, from Oct 26 to Nov 4, 2011.

Message from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on International day for Elimination of Violence Against Women

Violence against women and girls takes many forms and is widespread throughout the globe.

 It includes rape, domestic violence, harassment at work, abuse in school, female genital mutilation and sexual violence in armed conflicts. 

It is predominantly inflicted by men. 

Whether in developing or developed countries, the pervasiveness of this violence should shock us all. 

Violence – and in many cases the mere threat of it – is one of the most significant barriers to women’s full equality.

The right of women and girls to live free of violence is inalienable and fundamental. 

It is enshrined in international human rights and humanitarian law. 

And it lies at the heart of my UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign. 

Since its launch in 2008, the campaign has galvanised governments, civil society, the corporate sector, athletes, artists, women, men and young people around the world. 

The social mobilisation platform “Say NO-UNiTE” has recorded more than 2 million activities worldwide – from protest marches to public awareness campaigns, from legislative advocacy to help for victims.

Many of these activities have received support from the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. 

Since it was founded 15 years ago, the Fund has delivered grants worth $77 million to 339 initiatives in 126 countries and territories.

 We would like the Fund to be able to do even more, but demand for support continues to outstrip resources. 

This year alone, the Fund has received more than 2,500 applications requesting nearly $1.2 billion. 

I appeal to all our partners to help us meet this vast unmet need. 

Our challenge is to ensure that the message of "zero tolerance" is heard far and wide.

 To do that, we must engage all of society – and especially young people.

 In particular, young men and boys must be encouraged to become the advocates we need.  We need to promote healthy models of masculinity. 

Too many young men still grow up surrounded by outmoded male stereotypes. 

By talking to friends and peers about violence against women and girls, and by taking action to end it, they can help break the ingrained behaviour of generations.

On this International Day, I urge governments and partners around the world to harness the energy, ideas and leadership of young people to help us to end this pandemic of violence. 

Only then will we have a more just, peaceful and equitable world.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women will take place next Friday, November 25,  2011. 

 The UN will be supporting and conducting a number of activities to mark this day, and the overall 20 Days of Human Rights Activism.

In particular, UN Women will be visiting markets and schools and conducting workshops on the Global Programme, Safe Cities Free of Violence Against Women and Girls (SCGP). 

The Safe Cities project aims to:

1)      Prevent and reduce sexual harassment and sexual violence against women and girls in public spaces;

2)      Enable women and girls to move freely and safely and increase their ability to exercise their right to enjoy such spaces;

3)      Increase access, freedom of movement, and citizen’s responsibilities to keep public spaces safe, clean and well kept; 

4)      Increase social cohesion to prevent and reduce all forms of violence in market places.

All media are invited to attend the opening of the first Safe Cities workshop to be held next Monday 21-Tuesday 22 at Holiday Inn at 8.30am.

 If you would like any further information, comment, or interview on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Safe Cities Project, or any other UN activities please don’t hesitate to contact Communications Officer Lisa Smyth Lisa.Smyth@one.un.org  or UN Women’s Alethia Jimenz alethia.jimenez@unwomen.org.

Show time for Legends

By KEVIN TEME

PORT Moresby residents will have the opportunity to see the former National Rugby League stars in action for during the Ela Motors Legend’s of League match today, The National reports.

Rugby league legends from Australia and Papua New Guinea will lock horns at the loyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby today. It is an ideal opportunity for city residents to see the former rugby league greats from the two countries rubbing shoulders with each other. Among the legends will be former Manly Segulls five-eighth Cliff Lyons, a name popular in PNG, who played for the Kangaroos when they toured Goroka, Lae and Port Moresby in 1991.-Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

Most will want to see how great players like former Manly five-eighth Cliff Lyons can recapture some of that brilliant instinctive play against his peers on Lloyd Robson Oval.
It will be a historic moment when PNG hosts for the first time an NRL legends match that was the idea of the PNG NRL Bid and aimed at promoting rugby league to the masses and showing the NRL that PNG is capable of hosting big matches.
Lyons is one player whose name and playing style would have won many fans from the late 1980s to the 1990s.
The spritely 50-year-old is a familiar face to local fans having represented Australian in 1991 during a tour of the country with games played in Goroka, Lae and Port Moresby.
“I am happy to be back here and it’s a great opportunity for PNG and it’s good for the future of the game,” Lyons said.
The former New South Wales player (1987-1991) cannot wait to run out today and is looking forward to a good show with the other stars he had played along side and against.
“It’s good to catch up with my old mates and before I came I had sore leg after a game of touch footy but I am okay now and I’m looking forward to the game,” he said.
“It should be an entertaining show, not so much of a brutal showdown like what you see on TV but it will surely make your weekend an enjoyable one.”
With 34 legends assembled in Port Moresby,  the weekend’s action is expected to draw fans, particularly, those of the older generation who will remember the exploits of several of the former NRL stars such as Lyons, St George Illawara flyer Nathan Blacklock, Melbourne Storms lock Scott Hill and utility Matt Geyer, Newcastle Knights fullback Robbie O’Davis, Brisbane Broncos Julian O’Neill and Cronulla Sharks trio David Peachey, Les Davidson and Martin Lang. 
The match will follow a State of Origin theme which will see the Bisley New South Wales Blues take on the SP Queensland Maroons.