Papua New Guinea Agriculture

Agriculture is a central pillar of Papua New Guinea’s economy. In 2019 it made up 25% of GDP and contributed to the livelihoods of 85% of the population. The country’s key crops include cocoa, coffee, copra, palm oil, rubber and tea, most of which are exported and form an important source of foreign exchange (forex) revenues. Since Prime...

Towards the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people chose to stockpile groceries, raising questions about food security in the event of prolonged disruption to supply chains. As of June 2020 restrictions included suspension of domestic and incoming international flights; a ban on movement between provinces except for approved cargo,...

In what ways are provincial governors working to safeguard the economy in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly regarding agriculture?

Papua New Guinea’s efforts to establish special economic zones (SEZs) began in 2000 with the passing of the Free Trade Zones Act. However, PNG has yet to develop its first SEZ due to conflicts between the central and provincial governments, resulting in policy inconsistency and land disputes. For example, in February 2018 Allan Bird, governor of East Sepik Province, issued a...

Prime Minister James Marape is intent on putting agriculture, forestry and fisheries at the forefront of the government’s development agenda, with an eye to boost downstream processing of farmed resources. As attempts to galvanise the sector spur the development of Papua New Guinea’s key crops and catches, reforms are under way to ensure the country maximises the potential of...

Global food demand is expected to increase by anywhere between 59% to 98% by 2050. However, global freshwater resources are already overstretched due to climate change and soaring population growth, and it is unclear how agricultural production will keep up with these challenges. In recent years climate-induced water shortages in urban areas have brought water scarcity to the...