PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 2:30 PM by Luigi

Fresh ideas for PNG potato industry sought

From Warea Orapa (SPC).

The potato industry in Papua New Guinea may be given fresh direction after a two-day Potato Forum, which began yesterday and ends today.

The forum in Mt Hagen has had representations from major players in the industry and has created a platform for stakeholders to generate ideas and recommendations for the future of the industry since it was hit by the late potato blight in February 2003. The forum is the first major one since the blight struck.

Chairman of the late potato blight ground working committee (LPBGWC) Graham Ross said this week the forum, titled “Way Forward for the PNG Potato Industry”, would look at practical aspects of the industry and make recommendations to the National Government for policy directives for the future of the industry.“We want direction for the future of the industry and to know where farmers and stakeholders are positioned to face future challenges. “The forum is the initiative of the LPBGWC with a strong view to know what the future holds for industry in PNG and is being facilitated by the Rural Industry Council.” Mr Ross commended and acknowledged the support of the Rural Industry Council and other major sponsors. He said the forum would place emphasis on the following industry issues:

way forward and future of the PNG potato industry through recommendations and policy directives by the National Government
seed base issues
the importance of extension work and new farming techniques
practical aspects including site assessments and evaluations on trial and already success stories
where funding would come from to implement recommendations and policies that come out of the forum.

Mr Ross also highlighted the fears of a more destructive potato disease known as “potato cyst nematode” which he said was more risky for the industry and that he would also highlight the risks at the forum. Stakeholders participating include representatives from the mining sector including Porgera Joint Venture, Ok Tedi and Lihir, Rural Industries Council, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, key private sector representatives, financial and tertiary institutions, and government representatives. A broad range of topics have been covered including industry overview, overview of the late blight disease and its implications, strategies for future security, link between government and industry, seed supply and final recommendations for policy direction through the National Government. Most of yesterday was taken up by registration and introductory views and was followed by field visits in the afternoon.

The forum was introduced by Rural Industry Council chairman John Nilkare. Speakers spoke on historical aspects of the industry, production trends, the late blight effect, current status of industry and the importance of industry to PNG. Today, papers will be presented on the scientific overview of the late potato blight, the role of institutions, how industry handled the situation, chemical trial, quarantine issues, strategies for future security, future direction, evaluation on variety performance, chemicals and safety aspects, retailers association, and recommendations for the future.



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This weblog documents the activities of Pacific Agricultural Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN), along with other information on plant genetic resources (PGR) in the Pacific. The myriad varieties found within cultivated plants are fundamental to the present and future productivity of agriculture. PAPGREN, which is coordinated by the Land Resources Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), helps Pacific countries and territories to conserve their crop genetic diversity sustainably, with technical assistance from the Bioversity International (BI) and support from NZAID and ACIAR. SPC also hosts the Centre of Pacific Crops and Trees (CEPaCT). The CEPaCT maintains regional in vitro collections of crops important to the Pacific and carries out research on tissue culture technology. The CEPaCT Adviser is Dr Mary Taylor (MaryT@spc.int), the CEPaCT Curator is Ms Valerie Tuia (ValerieT@spc.int). 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Box 14 Nuku'alofa Tonga Tel: (676) 23038 Fax: (676) 24271 Email: thaangana@hotmail.com Mr Frazer Bule Lehi Head of Research Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Private Mail Bag 040 Port Vila Vanuatu Tel: (678) 22525 Fax: (678) 25265 Email: flehi@hotmail.com Other links Other CROP agencies Forum Secretariat University of the South Pacific SPREP Pacific biodiversity Biodiversity hotspots Breadfruit Institute Hawaiian native plants Intellectual property rights Nature Conservancy PBIF PestNet SIDS WWF South Pacific Program Other Pacific organizations Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific Micronesian Seminar Te Puna web directory Pacific news Cafe Pacific CocoNET Wireless Island Directory Pacific Islands News Pacific Islands Report Pacific Islands Travel Pacific Time South Pacific travel Time Pacific Interested in GIS? DIVA-GIS	Monday, February 28, 2005 Posted 2:30 PM by Luigi Fresh ideas for PNG potato industry sought From Warea Orapa (SPC). The potato industry in Papua New Guinea may be given fresh direction after a two-day Potato Forum, which began yesterday and ends today. The forum in Mt Hagen has had representations from major players in the industry and has created a platform for stakeholders to generate ideas and recommendations for the future of the industry since it was hit by the late potato blight in February 2003. The forum is the first major one since the blight struck. Chairman of the late potato blight ground working committee (LPBGWC) Graham Ross said this week the forum, titled “Way Forward for the PNG Potato Industry”, would look at practical aspects of the industry and make recommendations to the National Government for policy directives for the future of the industry.“We want direction for the future of the industry and to know where farmers and stakeholders are positioned to face future challenges. “The forum is the initiative of the LPBGWC with a strong view to know what the future holds for industry in PNG and is being facilitated by the Rural Industry Council.” Mr Ross commended and acknowledged the support of the Rural Industry Council and other major sponsors. He said the forum would place emphasis on the following industry issues: way forward and future of the PNG potato industry through recommendations and policy directives by the National Government seed base issues the importance of extension work and new farming techniques practical aspects including site assessments and evaluations on trial and already success stories where funding would come from to implement recommendations and policies that come out of the forum. Mr Ross also highlighted the fears of a more destructive potato disease known as “potato cyst nematode” which he said was more risky for the industry and that he would also highlight the risks at the forum. Stakeholders participating include representatives from the mining sector including Porgera Joint Venture, Ok Tedi and Lihir, Rural Industries Council, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, key private sector representatives, financial and tertiary institutions, and government representatives. A broad range of topics have been covered including industry overview, overview of the late blight disease and its implications, strategies for future security, link between government and industry, seed supply and final recommendations for policy direction through the National Government. Most of yesterday was taken up by registration and introductory views and was followed by field visits in the afternoon. The forum was introduced by Rural Industry Council chairman John Nilkare. Speakers spoke on historical aspects of the industry, production trends, the late blight effect, current status of industry and the importance of industry to PNG. Today, papers will be presented on the scientific overview of the late potato blight, the role of institutions, how industry handled the situation, chemical trial, quarantine issues, strategies for future security, future direction, evaluation on variety performance, chemicals and safety aspects, retailers association, and recommendations for the future. * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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