Jimmy and his mum selling their garden produce at Kiunga Town market
Ending hunger and poverty begins at the community level, where families are empowered to grow their own food and earn a reliable income. This effort aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 2: Zero Hunger, which emphasise increasing small-scale food production, improving nutrition, and building sustainable livelihoods. In rural Papua New Guinea, where access to cash income and diverse food crops remains a challenge, agriculture continues to play a critical role in achieving these goals.
One such example is Jimmy Mathew, a young farmer from Somoekwankia Village in the North Fly District, who is supporting his family through farming with assistance from the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) Food Security Program. On 27 March, Jimmy and his mother brought 69 taro combs to sell at the Kiunga Town Market, following months of hard work in their family garden.
Jimmy said the support from OTDF has made a significant difference for his family. Starting with taro planting material provided through the program, they planted a total of 575 taro plants, with 69 reaching maturity and ready for harvest.
At the Kiunga market, the taro combs were sold at prices ranging between K2 and K4 each. However, Jimmy noted that market access remains a challenge, as transport costs from the village to Kiunga average K50 one way. “Our transport costs are high, so whether we come to town depends on how successful our sales will be,” Jimmy said.
Despite the challenges, Jimmy expressed pride and optimism. “I am very happy that my family now has another source of income,” he said.
He added that in the North Fly District, sago is traditionally the main staple food grown for consumption and surplus sale, limiting income diversification. Through the OTDF Food Security Program, farmers are now being encouraged and supported to plant a wider range of crops such as taro, banana, cassava, and vegetables. “Thanks to OTDF for providing planting materials and extension support, this harvest shows the results of hard work and strong partnerships,” Jimmy said.
OTDF Food Security Officer Mr Jethro Robert explained that the core objective of the Food Security Program (FSP) is to ensure farmers develop secure and sustainable livelihoods beyond the life of the mine, enabling families to consistently put food on the table and earn income through agriculture.
Mr Robert also highlighted the importance of ongoing monitoring and pest management, noting early signs of taro beetle (borer) infestation, which poses a serious biosecurity threat if left uncontrolled. “Our role is not only to help farmers grow their crops, but also to work with them to prevent the spread of pests like the taro borer beetle,” he said.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Andrew Mari, said initiatives such as the Food Security Program are critical to building resilient and self-reliant communities across the CMCA region.
“Agriculture remains one of the most practical and sustainable pathways for our communities to improve household food security while generating income. Through the OTDF Food Security Program, we are empowering families with the knowledge, planting materials, and support they need to move beyond subsistence and develop productive, income-generating farms,” Mr Mari said.
Mr Mari emphasised that strengthening local food production is a key component of OTDF’s long-term development strategy.
“Our vision is to see communities in Western Province become economically resilient and food secure well beyond the life of the mine. By supporting farmers like Jimmy and encouraging crop diversification, we are laying the foundation for sustainable livelihoods that will continue to support families for generations,” he added.
Across the Western Province, particularly within the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) region, OTDF continues to play a vital role in strengthening agriculture as a pathway to food security and income generation. Through the provision of planting materials, farmer training, extension services, and market linkage support, OTDF is helping communities build resilient livelihoods, reduce poverty, and contribute meaningfully to long-term development well beyond the mining era.
