Drought & Frost
In 1997, PNG experienced drought and frost which were considered the worst ever experienced by the country. The assessment of its impact showed that crop yields were reduced to as much as 80%, resulting in severe food shortage.
In response the El Nino Drought Response Project was formulated to reduce the impacts of drought and frost on food production from subsistence gardens, where over 85% of the indigenous people of the country are involved.
The four (4) main agricultural research components of the project were:
- Collection, selection and multiplication of crops and farmers' cultivars and landraces that were tolerant to drought and frost
- Identification and adaptation of simple soil and water management technologies including irrigation technologies
- Development of a warning system with contingency planning
- Demonstration and extension of appropriate technologies through on-farm studies and demonstrations on farmers’ fields and at agricultural shows
The Drought and Frost Response project was coordinated from Aiyura. Laloki carried out work under Components 1 and 4. While the project concluded in 2002, NARI Laloki is implementing some follow-up activities. These include:
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Multiplication of planting materials of drought tolerant sweet potato varieties
Materials are multiplied on-station to test the drought tolerant sweet potato varieties on farmers’ fields in the 2005 growing season -
Multiplication of planting materials of early maturing sweet potato varieties
Materials of early maturing sweet potato varieties are being multiplied for on-farm testing in 2005 -
Multiplication of yam planting materials for on-farm studies
Materials of African yam and four local D.alata and D.esculenta are being multiplied on-station for on-farm studies in 2005 -
Management of weather database from the automatic weather station
Data and information on weather from the automatic and manual weather stations are recorded and downloaded unto a Weather Database System that is maintained at Laloki with records updated weekly
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