Driving Commercial Agriculture through Research and Mechanisation
Lae, Morobe Province, 24 May 2025 – The National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) is set to host its flagship Agricultural Innovations Show on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, at the Sir Alkan Tololo Research Centre in Bubia, 10-Mile, Lae. The event coincides with a significant milestone — NARI’s 28th Anniversary — and reaffirms the Institute’s leadership in shaping Papua New Guinea’s agricultural future through research, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
This year’s theme, “Driving Commercial Agriculture through Research and Mechanisation,” underscores NARI’s unwavering commitment to aligning its research agenda with national development priorities — particularly the transition from subsistence farming to a modern, commercially viable agriculture sector.
Speaking ahead of the event, NARI Director-General Dr Nelson Simbiken said the show would provide a timely platform to showcase new technologies, scientific breakthroughs, and policy-relevant research that is already making a difference in rural communities.
“The 2025 Agricultural Innovations Show will highlight how research is not only responding to the challenges faced by our farmers but also unlocking new opportunities in commercial agriculture,” said Dr Simbiken. “From mechanisation and improved crop varieties to digital advisory tools and value-added processing, the innovations on display will speak directly to the needs of our people.”
The event will feature both static exhibitions and dynamic field demonstrations. It will spotlight practical solutions developed by NARI and its partners in areas such as crop improvement, livestock nutrition, climate resilience, digital agriculture, and downstream processing. These solutions are aimed at enhancing farm productivity, improving food security, and increasing household incomes for smallholder farmers.
One of the centrepieces of this year’s show will be the presentation of the proposed Agriculture Information and Data Services Building — a purpose-built facility to serve as a central hub for farmer outreach, data collection, advisory services, and the dissemination of reliable agricultural information. Dr Simbiken described the initiative as a game-changer for evidence-based planning and farmer support across PNG.
“Our vision is to digitise extension services and ensure that every farmer, whether in the Highlands or the Islands, has access to real-time information that helps them make better farming decisions. This building will house systems that connect research to the field,” he said.
Dr Simbiken emphasised that the Innovations Show is not just a technical event but a critical opportunity for national dialogue, learning, and networking.
“We are bringing together stakeholders from across the agriculture sector — including government agencies, research institutions, donor partners, agribusinesses, and farming groups — to strengthen collaboration and co-create solutions that will drive real economic transformation,” he said.
Over the past 28 years, NARI has played a central role in agricultural development in PNG — responding to food system shocks, tackling pests and diseases, and developing crop varieties suited to local environments. Under Dr Simbiken’s leadership, the Institute has sharpened its focus on impact-driven research that improves livelihoods and supports national policy goals.
He said this year’s event will not only celebrate these achievements but also look forward to the next frontier of innovation
“NARI’s future is rooted in partnership. We invite all actors in the agriculture space to join us at this event and be part of shaping a more prosperous, resilient, and commercially focused farming sector for Papua New Guinea.”
The Innovations Show is expected to attract policymakers, researchers, farmers, students, and the general public.