Lae, Papua New Guinea | Sunday, May 25, 2025 — Two of Papua New Guinea’s top rice scientists say the country is ready to produce rice on a commercial scale, but progress hinges on stronger government support, targeted investment incentives, and sustained commitment to mechanisation and seed systems.
Dr Peter Gendua, Deputy Director-General of the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI), and Anton Beko, NARI’s Rice Seed Production Manager, say decades of scientific work have demonstrated that rice can grow well across PNG. What’s now needed, they argue, is enabling policy to unlock the industry’s commercial potential.
PNG Has the Potential — Now Policy Must Catch Up
“Rice can be grown in Papua New Guinea. That’s no longer in question,” said Dr Gendua. “The real challenge is how to scale it up into a sustainable, commercially viable industry.”
Rice was introduced by early missionaries and has been cultivated in small pockets of the country for many years. Formal research began in the 1970s, with efforts led by the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) to adapt varieties to local conditions. The turning point came in 1989, when the Taiwan Technical Mission began long-term support under the ICDF programme, helping to expand trials and promote rice growing in areas like Morobe and Central Province.
Today, rice production is increasing in several parts of the country, especially in the southern lowlands. However, most farming remains at subsistence or smallholder scale.
Advancing Research and Varieties
Since taking over national rice research responsibilities in the late 1990s, NARI has released six varieties — four for lowland areas (NR1, NR9, NR15, NR16) and two for the Highlands (NR2 and NR3). Among them, NR1 has emerged as a standout performer, with high yields and strong resistance to major pests such as the brown planthopper and stem borer.
Under ideal research conditions, NR1 yields up to 7–8 tonnes per hectare, compared to 2–3 tonnes in typical farmer-managed fields.
“We’ve proven that rice can be grown successfully in PNG,” Dr Gendua said. “We’ve done the trials, developed the seed, and confirmed suitability in different environments.”
Ten additional varieties sourced from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Taiwan are currently being evaluated under multi-location trials for future release.
Mechanisation and Commercial Viability
Despite agronomic progress, PNG still lacks the infrastructure and investment climate to support commercial-scale rice farming. Dr Gendua emphasised the need for policy reforms that treat agriculture with the same strategic importance as the resource sector.
“If we want serious investors, we must provide tax holidays, reduce tariffs on agricultural machinery, and make it easier to import essential inputs,” he said. “Right now, the cost of doing business in agriculture is too high.”
NARI is piloting small-scale mechanisation models using power tillers, planters, and harvesters to help smallholder farmers increase productivity. Larger commercial farms would require more advanced machinery and irrigation systems.
Mr Beko added: “Rice is a labour-intensive crop. For it to succeed at scale, we need mechanisation suited to both smallholder and large-scale operations.”
Foundation Seed and Scientific Capacity
NARI is also the country’s sole source of foundation seed, producing breeder-level NR1 seed for distribution to farmers. Beko explained that NR1 is a three-month variety, allowing for two planting and harvesting cycles per year under current systems.
However, limited storage facilities and manpower are constraints. “Our current storage holds just three tonnes. If we’re serious about commercial expansion, we need better infrastructure and more trained staff,” he said.
He also warned of a shortage of skilled rice agronomists. “Right now, I’m the only dedicated rice technician at NARI. Without investment in human resources, we risk losing decades of progress.”
Threats from Pests and Climate Variability
Biological threats remain a key challenge, including the golden apple snail — an invasive pest introduced from Southeast Asia — and the brown planthopper, a persistent insect that can devastate crops. Stem borers are another major concern, especially in poorly managed fields.
NR1 has shown resilience to many of these threats, but Dr Gendua emphasised that effective pest management and irrigation are critical.
“For commercial production, paddy fields with water control are preferable,” he said. “Dryland rice is more exposed to droughts, weeds, and unpredictable weather.”
The Way Forward as PNG Turns 50
As Papua New Guinea celebrates its 50th year of independence, the researchers say the country has a chance to finally realise its long-standing ambition to reduce its dependence on imported rice.
“The potential is there — the land, the varieties, the technical know-how,” Dr Gendua said. “But to turn potential into production, we need government action. We need policies that attract investment and make rice farming profitable.”
Mr Beko concluded: “NARI stands ready to support any investor, farmer, or government agency with seed, research and training. With the right backing, rice could become one of PNG’s most important food crops — and a national success story.”
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