Food Security Strategies for Papua New Guinea
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The CGPRT Centre The Regional Co-ordination Centre for Research and Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific (CGPRT Centre) was established in 1981 as a subsidiary body of UN/ESCAP. Objectives In co-operation with ESCAP member countries, the Centre will initiate and promote research, training and dissemination of information on socio-economic and related aspects of CGPRT crops in Asia and the Pacific. In its activities, the Centre aims to serve the needs of institutions concerned with planning, research, extension and development in relation to CGPRT crop production, marketing and use. Programmes In pursuit of its objectives, the Centre has two interlinked programmes to be carried out in the spirit of technical cooperation among developing countries: 1. Research and development which entails the preparation and implementation of projects and studies covering production, utilization and trade of CGPRT crops in the countries of Asia and the South Pacific. 2. Human resource development and collection, processing and dissemination of relevant information for use by researchers, policy makers and extension workers. CGPRT Centre Working Papers currently available: Working Paper No. 44 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in Pakistan: Commodity Aspects by Muhammad Ramzan Akhtar Working Paper No. 45 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in India: Commodity Aspects by Ramesh Chand Working Paper No. 46 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in Malaysia: Commodity Aspects by Tengku Mohd Ariff Tengku Ahmad and Ariffin Tawang Working Paper No. 47 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in the Republic of Korea: Commodity Aspects by Myung-Hwan Sung Working Paper No. 48 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in Indonesia: Commodity Aspects by Erwidodo and Prajogo U. Hadi Working Paper No. 49 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in Thailand: Commodity Aspects by Kajonwan Itharattana Working Paper No. 50 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in Japan: Commodity Aspects by Hiroaki Kobayashi (Continued on inside back cover) Food Security Strategies for Papua New Guinea “CGPRT Centre Works Towards Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture and Reducing Poverty in Asia and the Pacific” The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the United Nations. WORKING PAPER 56 Food Security Strategies for Papua New Guinea Passinghan Bukley K. Igua CGPRT Centre Regional Co-ordination Centre for Research and Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific CGPRT Centre Jalan Merdeka 145, Bogor 16111 Indonesia © 2001 by the CGPRT Centre All rights reserved. Published 2001 Printed in Indonesia National Library: Cataloguing in Publication Igua, Passinghan Buckley K. Food Security Strategies for Papua New Guinea / Passinghan Buckley K. Igua. -- Bogor: CGPRT Centre, 2001. xvi, 104 pp.; 25.5 cm. -- (Working paper series; No. 56) Bibliography: 6 pp ISBN 979-9317-17-7 1. Food -- industry and trade -- Papua New Guinea I. Title II. Series 338.199.53 1. Introduction 1.1 Terms of reference Under the general supervision of the Director of the CGPRT Centre and in cooperation with the project leader and the regional advisor, as the consultant, I was assigned the following tasks in the implementation of the research project “Food security strategies for selected South Pacific Island countries (SouthPIC)”. • To set up a work plan of the country study in Papua New Guinea in line with the objectives of the project stated at the in-country planning meeting with the participation of the project leader and the regional advisor, and relevant staff from Papua New Guinean Institutes. • To conduct the country study in Papua New Guinea. • To draft the country report of Papua New Guinea and to submit it in line with the work plan. • To participate in a regional workshop, where results of the country study would be presented and discussed. • To work with the project leader to publish the country report, an integrated report of the project and the proceedings of the regional workshop. 1.2 Objectives Food security is a complex issue as it affects the whole fabric of human life and existence. It is intertwined with very wide and dynamic subjects, such as agricultural land resources, infrastructure, institutional development; social and demographic mobilities; and macro-economic development and policies. Understanding the food security problems, and the identification of strategies, and formulation of appropriate policy options require comprehensive research. This project is primarily intended to help the government of Papua New Guinea obtain clearer data, information, and understanding on the food security situation, problems, strategies and appropriate policy options in the country. One of the aims of the study is to collate the fragmented food security data in a cohesive manner that the government can use for policy formulation. The objectives of this study are as follows: • To analyze food availability and its related risks, distribution institutions, uses, commodity balance, food aid, and related government policies at the national level. • To analyze household food availability, access, consumption pattern, nutritional quality and sufficiency, risks, and food aid. • To identify strategy and formulate policy options to improve food security in Papua New Guinea, including prospects of regional cooperation. 1.3 Scope of the study An initial project planning meeting was convened at Department of Agriculture and Livestock Provincial Industrial Support Services Conference room where resource people from various organisations and line agencies met to discuss the project. Discussions and seminars were also held. This study was carried out basically through the synthesis of existing information on food security issues in Papua New Guinea. Information 1 Chapter 1 was collected from the following sources: AusAid, Central Bank of Papua New Guinea, Cocoa Board of PNG, Coffee Research Institute, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Department of Finance and Planning, Department of Health, Flame Flour Mills, Institute of National Affairs, Internal Revenue Commission, National Agriculture Research Institute, National Disaster and Emergency Services, National Statistics Office, National Mapping Bureau, National Weather Service, National Research Institute, Office of Environment, PNG Cocoa Coconut Research Institute, PNG Rice Industries and other major food importers. 2 2. Methods and Data Sources 2.1 Definitions, concepts and analytical methods Food security is defined as a state of affairs where “all people at all times have access to safe and nutritious food in sufficient quality and quantity to maintain a healthy and active life”. National food security includes adequate domestic production of food (self sufficiency) together with the capacity to import in order to meet the needs of the population. Household food security on the other hand refers to availability and stability of food supply together with the purchasing power of the household. Based on the framework, the main study subjects of the project are as follows: • Food security performances and determinants (national and household levels), • Food security risk coping institutions, and • Feasibility of regional food security cooperation. Table 2.1 depicts the numerous components of a complex system influencing food security in Papua New Guinea. Food security is basically determined by food availability, access (entitlement) and utilization. There two modes of transactions that may be effective as the operating system for the three basic determinants: market transactions and institutional transfers. In general food security can be divided into elements: • Market economy systems – characterized by institutional transactions. • Social safety net systems – institutional setting designed at risk coping mechanism. The study was based on the latest “sustainable food security” paradigm, which proposes six basic criteria for food security: food availability, food access, food utilization, stability, self- reliance (autonomy) and sustainability. Food availability, food access and food utilization determine food adequacy. Stability and self-reliance determine vulnerability, whereas sustainability determines long-term persistence of food security. Food security in PNG was evaluated using the “food security performance evaluation matrix” (Table 2.1). The performance is also affected both by social and political institutions, as well as economic and geo-bio-physical conditions. Table 2.1 Food security performance evaluation matix. Principal Average Vulnerable Vulnerability Sustainability Determinants Adequacy Stability Self-Reliance 1. Food availability 2. Food access 3. Food utilization and distribution 2.2 Data sources Most of the information contained in this report was derived from available information on the issue of food security in Papua New Guinea and sources are duly acknowledged. 3 3. National and Provincial Food Security 3.1 Country background Papua New Guinea (PNG)