Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities

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OTDF Showcases Food Security outcomes and NARI Partnership at Agriculture Show

Economic Development, Middle Fly, North Fly, South Fly

Pastor Kisua Yasum, a farmer from Sapuka Village (R) attending to students questions

The Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) proudly participated in the National Agriculture Research System (NARS) Agriculture Show in Lae on 12 May 2026, showcasing the outcomes of its food security program and its strong partnership with the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).

OTDF’s presence at the show highlighted its commitment to improving rural livelihoods across Western Province through sustainable agriculture. The foundation used the platform to showcase taro and rice grown in the impact communities and demonstrated how its food security program is empowering communities within its Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) regions to achieve improved nutrition, increased crop production, and sustainable income generation.

Pastor Kisua Yasum, a farmer from Sapuka Village of the CMCA Suki Fly Gogo Trust in South Fly, shared how the program has transformed his living and the community: “Through OTDF’s support and NARI training, we have seen real improvements in our gardens and food supply. As one of the first farmers and landowner Ps Kisua and his family gave portion of the clan’s land to the OTDF Food Security program to establish the project which has now developed over the space of 5 years. “We are now producing more rice, feeding our families better, and earning income from surplus crops. This program is changing our lives,” he said.

According to OTDF Food Security Officer Mr. Jethro Roberts, the three farmers in Sapuka harvested 580 Kilograms from their rice fields for personal consumption and sold the excess yield earning a total of K8,649.00.

“The outcome is favourable, which we will continue to support the farmers under the program”, he said.

Acting Executive Manager Program Services and Program Services Operations Manager, Mr. Philemon Nahuet, emphasised the value of collaboration in delivering tangible results for communities.

“Our participation at the NARS Agriculture Show allows us to showcase the real outcomes of our food security program and the impact of our partnership with NARI. Through this collaboration, we are equipping communities with practical skills, improved crop varieties, and knowledge to build resilient and self-sustaining livelihoods,” said Mr. Nahuet.

OTDF partners with NARI to deliver improved crop varieties to our communities, promote NARI’s research, best management practices, introduce climate-resilient crops, and promote modern farming systems suited to local conditions. This partnership ensures that research and innovation are translated into practical solutions that benefit rural farmers.

OTDF’s participation reinforces its dedication to strengthening partnerships and delivering impactful, community-driven development outcomes.

MoA renewed to support aspiring cadets through Maritime Program

Education, Middle Fly, North Fly, South Fly, Women & Youth Development

Sponsors officially renew partnership program through MoU

The Maritime Cadetship (MCS) program managed by the Ok Tedi Development Foundation’s (OTDFs) Community Education Services (CES) Division, renewed its partnership with P&O Maritime Services (PNG) LTD to extend its joint program for aspiring cadets on 30 April (Thursday) at the Port Moresby P&O office.

Cadets who meet all grading requirements from the Maritime College entry testing have the opportunity for P&O engagement after the renewal of this The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as it extends for the next three years from 2026-2029.

Initially launched to alleviate the challenges faced by maritime students and their families in securing appropriate vessels to fulfill their practical training requirements for graduation, the program now creates new avenues for employment with P&O Maritime Logistics upon meeting maritime compliance standards.

Speaking about the signing, Captain Joannes Dominic, General Manager for POMS PNG, said:

“P&O Maritime Logistics remains firmly committed to making a lasting contribution to the communities where we operate. The cadet program is a strategic priority for us, and we are pleased to continue our partnership with OTDF. Through this collaboration, we aim to develop highly competent seafarers while providing sustainable employment opportunities. We look forward to the continued success and mutual benefits of this partnership.”

The partnership has been instrumental in promoting sustainable development and fostering positive change in the region. Captain Joannes has expressed his gratitude for the collaboration with OTDF via the cadet’s program and other community initiatives in the Western Province. Through this latest MoU, maritime cadets who are recipients of the OTDF Maritime Scholarship are eligible to complete their 24-month sea-time experience on-board P&O Maritime Logistics vessels. The renewed agreement maps out the respective roles and responsibilities of OTDF and P&O Maritime Logistics for the implementation of the training that commenced this month.

Equally pleased about the partnership, OTDF Acting CEO Johanis Saferius is confident that the renewal of the P&O & OTDF partnership to train Western Province sailors is consistent with standards of seafaring compliance and better management of the Maritime Scholarship Program managed by OTDF in partnership with P&O Maritime Services (PNG) Limited better known “POMS PNG”.

Mr. Saferius said: “We are not just signing a document, we are securing the future of the shipping industry in Papua New Guinea by ensuring OTDF Maritime Cadets have the best training possible by professional seafarers.”

The Acting CEO emphasised that the OTDF Community Education Services exists to making sure that new intakes and the current trainee cadets in the program are fully supported to complete the cadetship program.

OTDF Executive Manager Program Services Mr. Andrew Mari noted there is a need to increase the number of first class officers in the maritime. Referring to information gathered that Papua New Guinea needed more ship captains.

Inclusive partnerships strengthen Community Development for special needs community

South Fly, Training, Women & Youth Development

Manawete Women & Children Association in partnership with Callan Services Kiunga & OTDF provide assessment for villagers with special needs

A two-day partners and stakeholders workshop hosted by the Western Province Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) with funding from Australian Doctors International and the Australian Government APLJ Program from 9–10 April in Kiunga has strengthened collaboration toward inclusive development and service delivery across North Fly District and Western Province.

The workshop brought together key partners including the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), Australian Doctors International (ADI), Australian Government – APLJ Program, district and provincial government agencies, and the media. Facilitated by national trainer Mr Ross Tito, Program Manager for the PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons (PNGADP), the sessions focused on disability-inclusive planning and shared responsibility in development.

For OTDF, participation aligns strongly with its commitment to inclusive, people-centred development. The Foundation’s Community Development (CD) Program works across education, health, livelihoods, governance, and social development—sectors that directly affect persons with disabilities in remote North Fly communities. Workshop discussions provided practical guidance to strengthen disability inclusion across program design, implementation, and monitoring.

OTDF Community Development Program Team Leader Mr. Polang Tommy noted to bridge the missing link in development outcomes it would be appropriate to have an OPD representative included in the CMCA Women and Children Association working committees

“Persons with disabilities must be represented in the CMCA Women and Children Association executive level,” Mr Tommy said. “Having a representative to work with the association and the CD team to propose projects that genuinely reflect their needs.”

The workshop outcomes are also relevant to OTDF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) Program, where accessibility remains a challenge. OTDF in its development work through WaSH aims to apply disability inclusion principles to promote universal design, strengthen inclusive WaSH committees, and improve collaboration with OPD during project planning going forward.

The workshop reaffirmed that inclusive development is a shared responsibility. For OTDF, it has reinforced ongoing commitment to ensuring no one is left behind as the Foundation supports sustainable development in mine-impacted communities across Western Province.

The Woman and Children Association have gone a step ahead and partnered with Callan Services to provide much neede service to people with special needs. Thus in partnership with the Manawete Women and Children (W&C) Association Callan Services successfully conducted a joint patrol in Doumori and Kawiapo villages as part of ongoing efforts to support people with disabilities in remote communities.

The patrol focused on identifying individuals living with disabilities, engaging with families and community leaders, and assessing immediate needs for assistive devices. The joint initiative reflects a strong commitment to inclusive development and community-based collaboration in the Manawete region.

During the patrol, the team held discussions with village leaders and community members to raise awareness about disability inclusion and available support services. Residents welcomed the initiative, highlighting the importance of outreach programs that reach isolated areas where access to health and social services remains limited.

The arrangement was made through consultations with the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF CD) Community Development Team and the Manawete Women and Children’s Association executive team from the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) region. The combined assessment program is part of the nine Women & Children Association’s revised Five Year Action Plan (2026-2030) implemented with funding from OK Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) CMCA agreement.