The mission of the PNG Oil Palm Research Association (PNGOPRA) is to provide recommendations that contribute to the development of sustainable oil palm practices and to assist its members (milling companies and associated smallholder farmers) in their responsible agricultural management by:
- Conducting research trials to find new knowledge of benefit to the oil palm industry of Papua New Guinea;
- Guiding and assisting the oil palm industry in gathering information important to their stakeholders;
- Providing training and guidance on the oil palm husbandry and safe usage of agrochemicals;
- Identifying and propagating specific biocontrol agents, and conducting pesticide bioassays to improve crop protection from known and arising pests and diseases; and
- Quantify the impact of the oil palm industry on the oil palm smallholders and community.
PNGOPRA is the research arm of the oil palm industry in Papua New Guinea. The association conducts research in four areas: Agronomy, Entomology, Plant Pathology and Socioeconomics. PNGOPRA is an incorporated ‘not-for-profit’ research association – a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The current membership of PNGOPRA comprises two milling companies, namely New Britain Palm Oil Ltd Group (NBPOL) and Hargy Oil Palms Ltd, as well as the smallholder farmers represented by the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC). Members pay a volume related levy, the deduction of which is facilitated through the milling companies.
The Members of the PNGOPRA provide the strategic leadership and research direction for the operation of the organisation, ensuring that PNGOPRA is responsive and accountable to the needs of its stakeholders. As such, PNGOPRA is truly industry demand driven. On the Board of Directors, each stakeholder has one representative, with each member holding voting rights within the Board in proportion to the Member’s financial input to the Association, as calculated on the previous year’s fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production.
PNGOPRA is an affiliate member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and has an important role to play in supporting oil palm milling companies and smallholders in their commitment to sustainable development, particularly in the area of continuous improvement. PNGOPRA’s research programme has been aligned with the RSPO Principles and Criteria.