AS extreme heatwaves and prolonged droughts devastate key agricultural regions across Africa, including staple-producing countries like Nigeria, Papua New Guinea (PNG) stands at a unique advantage with its year-round rainfall and stable tropical climate.
While farmers in Nigeria report massive crop losses due to temperatures soaring beyond 35°C, PNG’s consistent rainfall patterns and moderate temperatures present an opportunity for local growers to increase production and enter markets affected by supply shortages.
“What is a disaster for others can be a window of opportunity for PNG,” says Mr. Koren Maso from the Department of Agriculture and Livestock.
“Our natural climate is suitable for producing many of the crops now under threat globally, such as cocoa, coffee, vegetables, and rice.”
With global supply chains disrupted and African agricultural exports declining, PNG farmers are urged to scale up their output, adopt improved practices, and target regional and international markets in need of alternative suppliers.
There is particular opportunity in: Exporting fresh produce to Pacific and Southeast Asian markets; expanding rice and grain production to substitute for imports affected by African shortages; and investing in agro-processing for high-value crops like cocoa, vanilla, and coffee.
The National Government, through its Medium-Term Development Plan IV and the National Agriculture Strategy Plan (2024–2033), is committed to enabling climate-smart agriculture, expanding access to markets, and ensuring PNG becomes a regional food hub in a changing global climate.
“Now is the time for our local farmers to think big, plant more, and connect to global value chains,” the spokesperson concluded.