The Center for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI), in partnership with National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), recently held a Stakeholders Analysis (SHA) Workshop in Lae, Morobe Province as, part of the launch of their PlantwisePlus Programme in Papua New Guinea. NARI hosted the two-day event, which took place at the Alan Quartermain Hall, NARI Bubia, from the 10th to the 11th of May, 2023.
PlantwisePlus is a program that supports the Plantwise network in implementing sustainable plant health systems that mitigate the negative impacts of pests and diseases on farmers’ livelihoods and food security. By implementing this program, Papua New Guinea aims to predict, prepare for, and prevent potential plant health threats, empowering farmers to meet the demands of producing high-quality food amidst a changing climate.
Numerous organizations participated in the Stakeholders Analysis (SHA) Workshop to provide insights and opinions on Papua New Guinea Plant Health System (PHS). Key partner organizations included the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority, National Agriculture Research Institute, PNG Oil Palm Research Association, New Britain Palm Oil Limited, Cocoa Board of PNG, Kokonas Indastri Koporesen, Coffee Industry Corporation, Provincial Department of Agriculture and Livestock, PNG University of Technology, National Volunteer Service of PNG, and PNG Women in Agriculture. Representing the oil palm industry were Dr Marnie Light, Head of RAIL R&D, Dr Emad Jaber, PNGOPRA Head of Crop Protection, and Ms Sharon Agovaua, PNGOPRA Crop Protection Officer. The workshop facilitators from CABI Plantwise Malaysia were Dr Arnaud Costa, the PlantwisePlus Coordinator for CABI East and Southeast Asia, and his two colleagues, Dr Muhammad Faheem and Ms Jayanthi Alaganthiran. The primary goal of the Stakeholders Analysis (SHA) Workshop was to bring together the stakeholders involved in Papua New Guinea’s Plant Health System (PHS) and identify the key players based on their interactions, importance, and influence. The program also aimed to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the participants in delivering plant health system functions in the country.
Over two days, the workshop covered various topics, with most activities centred around group discussions, the first day consisted of four group activities, focusing on the history of the Plant Health System (PHS) in Papua New Guinea, understanding the roles of stakeholders in the PHS, assessing the influence and interest of stakeholders, and mapping the interactions between PHS stakeholders. Dr Costa, Dr Faheem, and Ms Alaganthiran took the lead on the discussions for each respective activity. On the second day, the participants engaged in another group activity led by Dr Costa, which involved creating a matrix summarizing the interactions between PHS stakeholders. Through these discussions and analysis, the workshop facilitators were able to identify the key partners involved in Plant Health System (PHS) to collaborate with in implementing the PlantwisePlus programme in PNG. The participants were delighted to reconnect and establish connections that had been dormant for some time. During the workshop, there was even talk of reviving the Papua New Guinea Plant Protection Society which demonstrated the renewed enthusiasm and commitment among the attendees. Overall, the workshop was successful in identifying major stakeholders in PNG and allowed us to meet and discuss each organization’s role and work.
The workshop concluded at noon, and during the closing remarks, Mr Warea Orapa, Acting Director General of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), emphasized the participant’s eagerness to collaborate with CABI. He expressed his confidence that the PlantwisePlus programme would strengthen the country’s plant health system, enhancing early detection and response capabilities to pest outbreaks and invasions.
By hosting the Stakeholders Analysis (SHA) Workshop and launching the PlantwisePlus Programme, CABI and NARI have taken significant steps in strengthening Papua New Guinea’s plant health system. This collaborative effort will pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector, ensuring a secure food supply for the nation’s farmers and contributing to overall food security in the face of environmental challenges.
