Port Moresby, Thursday, 3 April 2025 – The Secretary for the Department of Agriculture, Dr Sergie Bang, will lead one of the most important agriculture sector events in recent years – the National Agriculture Industry Public-Private Sector Partnership Conference (NAIPPS) – to be held from 7th to 11th April 2025 in Lae, Morobe Province.
This high-level conference, jointly coordinated by the Department of Agriculture and the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC), brings together commodity boards, sub-sector agencies, agribusiness leaders, policymakers, and civil society partners under the theme: “Achieving Our Goals: Public and Private Sector Partnerships to Leverage Investment, Land, and Resources for Implementing the NASP 2024–2033.”
At the heart of the conference is the National Agriculture Sector Plan (NASP) 2024–2033, Papua New Guinea’s 10-year strategic blueprint for revitalising and modernising the agriculture sector. NASP outlines key reforms, targets, and investment pathways across all agricultural commodities, aligning with the Government’s Medium Term Development Plan IV (MTDP IV).
In announcing the conference, Dr Bang said: “This is more than a conference – it is a national call to action. We must build a new era of trust and accountability between government and industry. Our farmers and agribusinesses deserve a system that works efficiently, responds to their needs, and creates real economic value across our rural areas.”
Key Focus Areas of the NAIPPS Conference:
- National Policy Alignment & Strategic Coordination:
A full presentation on the NASP 2024–2033 will provide clarity on national goals, key result areas (KRAs), and how each commodity board and sub-sector must align their corporate plans and activities to these national objectives.
- Legislative Reforms:
Updates will be given on two critical legislative instruments – the National Agriculture Administration Act (NAAA) and the Agriculture Investment Corporation (AIC) Bill – which aim to establish stronger institutional coordination and unlock private sector financing into agriculture.
- Governance & Oversight:
The conference will also present the draft Terms of Reference for the re-establishment of the National Agriculture Sector Council (NASC), a high-level governing body that will oversee implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the NASP.
- Institutional Accountability:
All 11 Commodity Boards – including Coffee, Cocoa, Livestock, Oil Palm, Rubber, Rice & Grain, Spices, Fresh Produce, KIK, and NAQIA – will present on:
- Status of their legislation and policy frameworks
- Action plans to achieve NASP and MTDP IV KRAs and targets
- Organisational capability, including manpower and technical capacity
- Existing baseline data and monitoring systems
- Board functionality, governance effectiveness, and proposed improvements
Dr Bang has issued Circular 9/25 directing all boards and agencies to prepare these detailed presentations and submit their current corporate and operational plans. He noted: “It is critical that we have a clear picture of where each agency stands. This process allows us to assess gaps, build capacity, and bring underperforming boards into compliance with national strategies.”
High-Level Participation and Outcomes:
The conference will be officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture, with the Prime Minister scheduled to deliver the keynote address, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to agriculture as a cornerstone of Papua New Guinea’s economic development and food security.
Senior government officials, including the Chief Secretary and representatives of the Prime Minister’s Department, will also be part of the opening session.
Expected outcomes include:
- Shared understanding and endorsement of NASP across all sector partners
- Roadmaps for policy and legislative alignment
- Agreement on the structure and function of the National Agriculture Sector Council
- Actionable resolutions and communiques for each sub-sector
Dr Bang concluded: “This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to shape the future of agriculture in Papua New Guinea. We want to create a sector that is well-governed, investment-ready, and fully inclusive of the private sector, smallholders, and women and youth in agriculture.”
The five-day conference will feature technical sessions, feedback discussions, group presentations, and agreement on follow-up mechanisms, including the scheduling of future review meetings.
The Department of Agriculture and Livestock invites all partners, commodity boards, development agencies, and investors to actively participate and support this historic initiative.
ENDS
We really appreciate the initiative by the Agricultural department to host this important meeting in Lae. We would like to participate on behalf of our small holder farmers in Morobe
Regards
Reuben Yapi
Chairman, Morobe Primary Producers Cooperatives Association.