MEDIA RELEASE
1 May 2007
For immediate release
NEW K90 MILLION PROGRAM WILL BENEFIT FARMERS
The governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia have launched a new K90 million project to help smallholder farmers in PNG.
The funding will be used to establish a new Agricultural Research and Development Support Facility (ARDSF), which will make innovative information and technologies available to farmers to help them generate income and maintain food security.
Speaking at a joint signing ceremony yesterday, Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis, said ARDSF would assist smallholder farmers by translating good science into sustainable and profitable farming practices.
He said: “Australia and PNG have a shared commitment to the development of PNG. The ARDSF project is part of that commitment and it will deliver numerous benefits.
“PNG’s agricultural research institutions will benefit from the development of long term skills and expertise. Rural smallholders will benefit through increased earnings and improved livelihood. And PNG will benefit through increased export earnings.
“ARDSF also includes a competitive grants scheme open to all stakeholders who want to ensure that science-based findings and technology gets out to the farmer.”
Funded through the Australian Government’s aid program, the new five-year K90 million ARDSF project is in line with the PNG Government’s commitment to implement the National Agricultural Development Plan.
ARDSF has three integrated components: budget support for the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), institutional development of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), and a new Agricultural Innovations Grants Scheme.
Gender and HIV issues will also be mainstreamed into the operation of ARDSF.
For the purposes of ARDSF, NARS includes NARI, the Cocoa and Coconut Institute (CCI), the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC), the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) and the Oil Palm Research Association (OPRA) with its sister body, the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC).
Media inquiries: Anna Awasa, AusAID Public Affairs, Ph: 325 9333 Ext 304, M: 693 1097