Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
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Samagos Site Works Progressing Well
Tunnel construction at site 2 and 3 at Samagoes, North Fly, Western Province
Construction continues to progress well with completion of the seven grow-out tunnel structures at site #2 (0.5 Ha of vines capacity) and near completion of the single, large grow-out structure framing at site #3 (0.8 Ha of vines capacity). Civil works at site 3 have progressed beyond our expectations and this site will now accommodate all building infrastructure. All sites have consequently been re-surveyed and the final layout for the Vanilla Agro-Industrial Center will be prepared for approval at the WestAgro Holdings Board meeting in March.
The first three containers of building materials have arrived in Port Moresby, were cleared from customs, and are now being repacked for shipping to Kiunga. These include the site equipment workshop, staff management residence, and the processing facility. Final preparations are also being made for beginning the water (DeepCore Drilling) and power (Ok Tedi Power Ltd.) reticulation works from next month. All groundwork preparation for the smallholder demonstration plot at Samagos is complete and 100 shade trees have been planted. Positive discussions are continuing with PNGSDP as funding partners in the Fly Cocoa venture and an announcement is expected to be made in the coming months.
Following on from the exciting Research and Development (R&D) news reported in November 2021 that both vanilla trial sites are producing green beans, there have been many more racemes, flowers, and beans developing since. Additionally, there are regular reports from surrounding smallholder farmers that they also have successfully pollinated considerable numbers of flowers and now have several thousand green beans growing.
First Rice Plants Growing in Kaviananga
Upland (padi) rice trial plots being planted
Both upland and lowland (padi) rice trial plots have been planted with seven of the eight rice varieties that are being trialed (three from PNG, three from the Philippines, and one from Israel). These initial trials are in ‘untreated’ plots which will provide the experimental control for all successive trials. The ‘treated’ trial plots have also been prepared and had calcium applied to increase the soil pH conditions, and will be planted with all eight varieties in early March. These trials will also include fertiliser applications throughout the growing cycle.
At 14 days post sowing, the emergence counts for each variety in the ‘untreated’ plots were as follows: Trukai 12 (PNG) 2/27; NARI 1 (PNG) 25/27; NARI 15 (PNG) 19/27; SL8H (Philippines) 20/27; SL19H (Philippines) 7/27; SL20H (Philippines) 17/27; and NETAFIM 1 (Israel): 21/27. Noting that for each sample quadrant of 27 plants, the first number shows the respective emergent plants for each variety at that time.
The ‘Solar Powered Irrigation System’ (SPIS) which will be utilised for the third and final variety trials has arrived in Port Moresby along with all remaining capital equipment from Israel. The system is expected in Kaviananga in April.
Partnership strengthening
Project partners – Community of Kaviananga and development partners show support with a ‘Unity Chain’ handshake at the project site.
As a community-based development organisation, OTDF values partnerships as an integral part of achieving our vision for fulfilling the development aspirations of the CMCA communities.
From 25-28 February, OTDF played host to a number of development partners, including the Western Provincial Administration (WPA), Innovative Agro Industries (IAI), WestAgro Holdings (WAH), Incentive Fund #4 (IF4), and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to witness firsthand the progress of agribusiness projects in the South and Middle Fly Trust regions.
Leonard Kipi, the Provincial Agriculture Coordinator representative from the WPA, Ian Middleton the WAH Chairman, Eitan Ribak of IAI, Cedric Moi of IF4, and Willie Koi from DFAT were accorded a traditional welcome in Gigwa and Nakaku (Suki Fly- Gogo), and Kaviananga (Middle Fly).
These important guests were given an insight to the proposed 500-hectare Fly Cocoa nucleus estate project in Suki, then headed upstream to visit the Kaviananga Rice trial site. The rice project is trialing eight varieties across lowland padi and upland sites. This project is a collaboration between OTDF and the IF4 program which has contributed PGK3.8 million.
OTDF acknowledges community support for development projects
Mr. Mari addressing the community at Nakaku, Suki Fly Gogo
The partners were also accompanied by staff and management of OTDF. OTDF Program Sustainable Development (PSSD)
Manager, Andrew Mari while addressing an enthusiastic crowd of over 300 villagers at Suki, said partner visits are important for Western Province. “The welcome you have shown tells the partners that you want development to come into your community”, he said.
Partnerships are the foundation for making sustainable development possible, and this work contributes to sustainable development goals number.
Ok Tedi Mine villages conclude VPC elections
OTDF officiates Ok Tedi Mine villages VPC elections
The Ok Tedi Mine Village Elections were conducted using the “first past the post” election system between the 1st and 30th of March, 2022.
The Village Planning Committee (VPC) chairmen elected for the mine villages are:
Mr. Morris Felok – Finalbin, Mr. Frank Lucas – Kavorabip, Mr. Justin Bilak – Atemkit, Mr. Joshua David – Wangbin, and Mr. Simon Livin – Migalsim, and Clifford Bineng – Bultem
According to Tabubil based OTDF Regional Development Officer Christopher Nicholas, Bultem village did not conduct its VPC elections and was deferred to the 30th of March, 2022.
According to Trust guidelines for VPC elections, the VPC Chairmanship holds a 3-year term, and elections are conducted when the 3 years have been served before the next person can be nominated by the community and elected through a just and fair election process.
The OTDF Regional Development team was responsible for conducting the VPC elections with support from the Star Mountain LLG Electoral team.
OTDF congratulates the elected VPC chairmen.
Who We Are
Each executive and board member, team and individual involved with OTDF is an essential part of achieving the goal of allowing the residents of Western Province to have greater choices in mapping out their own direction to live better lives.
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Executive Management
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Board Members
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Our Partners
What We Do
Operating independently of OTML since 2009, we are proud to have 50 full-time staff, 60 part-time staff, and committed volunteers throughout Western Province dedicated to ensuring our objectives and goals are aligned with those of the communities for which we serve.
To date, we have achieved significant outcomes across our investment portfolio and all five pillars of CMCA community development.
Economic Development
From inception as an independent organisation in 2010, OTDF has worked tirelessly with the CMCA communities to establish family and village-based economic and food production options.
Women's & Youth Development
Developing women and youth aspirations following the intensive consultative community engagement in the communities and mine villages.
Infrastructure Development
OTDF continues to focus on infrastructure delivery for communities to gain easier access to regional centres and government services, and to get produce to markets.
Community Health
The OTDF Strategic 5-year plan goal for the Health Sector is the CMCA primary health care service delivery strengthened and in line with the Western Province & National Health Plans.
Community Education
The OTDF Education Sector goals are to improve to quality education services, improve teacher education and training.
Our Communities
Western Province
North Fly District
Middle Fly District
South Fly District
Annual Reports
Our latest Annual Report is a comprehensive report of what OTDF has achieved and defines/outlines our ongoing priorities and goals going forward.
Newsletters
Each month, our OTDF media team creates a PDF newsletter that encapsulates the many activities and achievements by OTDF, partners and communities.
Contact Us
OTDF is committed to cooperation and integration of ideas from our community, therefore, we are always interested in what you have to say.