Dry Lowlands
Laloki

The dry-lowlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG) have a rainfall of less than 2,000 mm, pronounced dry periods with soil moisture stress, and man-induced grasslands or savanna. Population densities are low to very low. Agriculture is characterized as low-intensity subsistence.

The centre of NARI's Dry Lowlands Programme (DLP) is located at Laloki in the Central Province, about 30 km outside of Port Moresby.

Research Focus

The major research focus for the Laloki programme is on plant genetic resources, food crops agronomy (yam), drought assessment (sweet potato, cassava and banana), integrated production and peri-urban farming systems, and pest and disease management.

Research studies and other research related activities include:

  1. Drought assessment trials: Testing of drought tolerant and early maturing sweet potato varieties, promising cassava varieties and drought tolerant banana varieties
  2. Yam agronomy: Transfer of South Pacific Yam Network (SPYN) yam collection from Bubia to Laloki. Release of two most liked African yam (D. rotundata) varieties and evaluation of the suitability of Gliricidia sepium and Sesbania grandifolia for live-staking of yam
  3. Crop protection: Studies on fruit flies, including red-banded mango caterpillar and upgrading of data on the digital database of the national insect collection
  4. Conservation, characterisation, evaluation, maintenance and documentation of the national plant genetic resources of banana, yam, cassava and aibika in field collections. Maintenance of working collection of taro germplasm
  5. Production and distribution of fruit and nut seedlings and grafted materials.
  6. Multiplication and distribution of planting materials of the major staple food crop species such as sweet potato, cassava and banana.
  7. Research/development Liaison activities including field demonstrations of developed techniques, hands-on training for farmers and service providers, and participation at Agricultural Shows and other annual events

Planting materials and information are available for farmers at reasonable prices.

Technology Transfer and Adoption

The Balthasar Wayi Information Centre at Laloki is one among the six Information Centers within NARI. It is responsible for packaging information and multiplying it for distribution to farmers and clients on request. The Centre also assists in the Outreach & Liaison activities of DLP, responds to requests for publications and provides library services to staff and other clients. The NARI Agricultural Information System Database (DB Text Works) is also managed by the Centre.



For further information, Contact

NARI Dry Lowlands Programme
P.O Box 1828, PORT MORESBY
National Capital District
Papua New Guinea

Phone: (675) 323 5511
Fax: (675) 323 4733
Email: naridlp@nari.org.pg