Agricultural Systems Improvement

Strategic Objective:

Productivity, efficiency and stability of agricultural production systems improved

Under the NARI refocused planning, the following three programmes were merged to form Programme One;

1. Crop and Livestock Improvement
2. Integrated Natural Resource Management
3. Up Scaling and Out Scaling

The focus of this programme is to improve productivity, efficiency, stability and sustainability.

Major strategies

• Enhanced use of suitable quality planting materials, breeding stock and other farm inputs by smallholder farmers
• Marketing systems for priority crop and livestock products and enterprises improved
• Smallholder farming communities are better prepared to cope with abiotic stresses due to seasonal weather patterns, climate change and natural disasters
• Biotic agro-ecosystem threats are sustainably managed by smallholder farmers
  
• Farm mechanisation and availability of farm labour from smallholder farmers increased and more efficiently used
• Smallholder farmers effectively integrate crops, livestock and aquaculture systems

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The Programme ‘Agricultural Systems’ represents the core business of NARI’s AR4D efforts. This programme addresses the productivity of crops and livestock, production constraints and opportunities in the many Agriculture Production Systems across PNG.

Productivity and efficiency of agricultural production systems in PNG is low both in relative and absolute terms. Recurring periodic food shortages in farming communities throughout the country show that access to and availability of food to farming communities is inconsistent and often uncertain. The constraints and opportunity analysis across eight ADD clusters has shown that the major causes for the low agricultural productivity include insufficient availability and low access to improved planting materials, breeding stock, farm inputs, poor marketing opportunities and efficiency, vulnerability of farming communities to external shocks (droughts, floods, natural disasters, effects of Climate Change), unsustainable land use and declining soil fertility, pest and disease problems and inefficient use of land and labour resources.

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Programme Vision

Therefore, the Vision of this Programme; is “A 20-50% increase in production and utilization of crops and livestock, a 20 % increase in overall farm efficiency and more sustained Agriculture practiced in the targeted Agricultural Development Domains (ADDs) in PNG, by 2022.”

Programme Outcome

The Programme Outcome would be significantly reduced periods of food shortages experienced annually, increased income opportunities and improved rural employment in targeted farming communities. This can be achieved through increased and sustained production both in quantity and quality of appropriated crops and livestock breeds and which can be consumed or traded either as fresh or as value added products. Such outputs can be achieved through; farmer adoption of clean/genetically superior crop varieties and livestock breeds, integration of livestock with crop production and Management, effective supply/value chains, enhanced preparedness to ENSO induced climate change, affordable farm inputs (including skilled farm labor), small-medium scale farm mechanization, and sustained soil fertility management.

To demonstrate impact, a baseline survey can be conducted in 2012, in representative rural communities. In the next 10 years improved agric technologies will be promoted in targeted stakeholder communities; followed by an impact survey in 2022 to assess uptake and positive changes in the lives of adopting farmers. In order to be focused; work will target appropriate crops and livestock as required by target communities (ADDs), with all development partners and by using all suitable methods for out scaling and up scaling.

Below are Seven Programme Strategies identified as necessary and sufficient to address priority constraints and opportunities across the eight ADD clusters in PNG.

Programme 1 Strategies
Activity 1.1 Increased use of suitable quality planting materials, breeding stock and other farm inputs by smallholder farmers.

• Access to suitable quality planting materials and breeding livestock by men and women smallholder farmers improved
• Farm inputs are more affordable for men and women smallholder farmers
• Access to and appropriate use of farm inputs for crop and livestock production increased

Activity 1.2 Marketing systems for priority crop and livestock products and enterprises improved.

• Marketing of and value addition opportunities for crop and livestock products improved

Activity 1.3 Smallholder farming communities are better prepared to cope with a-biotic stresses due to seasonal weather patterns, climate change or natural disasters.

• Improved capability of men and women smallholder farmers to manage periods of water shortage and water excess (incl. high rainfall, sea water inundation)
• Smallholder farming communities and institutions can effectively respond to natural disasters with agricultural rehabilitation
• Men and women smallholder farmers are better prepared to manage impacts of frost and excessive cloud cover

Activity 1.4 Smallholder farmers use improved and sustainable land and soil fertility management practices.

• Men and women small holder farmers use improved and sustainable land and soil fertility management practices

Activity 1.5 Biotic agro-ecosystem threats are sustainably managed by smallholder farmers.

• Smallholder farmers experience reduced crop losses due to pests, diseases and weeds
• Smallholder farmers experience reduced livestock losses due to pests and diseases

Activity 1.6 Farm mechanization and availability of farm labour from smallholder farmers increased and more efficiently used.

• Adequate energy input into agricultural production

Activity 1.7 Smallholder farmers effectively integrate crops, livestock and aquaculture systems.

• Improved integration of crops, livestock and fisheries