Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
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Field visits to increase the awareness of farmers on improved technologies for sustainable Vanilla cultivation
Eitan Ribak, the Fly Vanilla Project Manager (IAI) demonstrates to Mougulu vanilla farmers proper method of planting vanilla.
Agriculture development partner representatives from WestAgro Holdings (WAH), Innovative Agro Industries (IAI) and the Western Provincial Administration (WPA) visited vanilla farmers across the North Fly district to discuss the opportunity to transform vanilla beans into a lucrative, cash-earning commodity. Representatives included the Deputy Provincial Administrator for Resource Development, Rupert Tabua (WPA), Eitan Ribak, the Fly Vanilla Project Manager (IAI), and Ian Middleton the WAH Chairman (WAH).
Central to the community awareness was a vanilla planting demonstration, farmer block inspections, and informing farmers that Fly Vanilla Agro-Industrial Centre (AIC) in Samagoes, Kiunga will begin buying vanilla beans from May 2022, a major milestone for the AIC. Further advising them that the AIC is being developed by Innovative Agro Industry (IAI) as part of the provincial agribusiness vision of WestAgro Holdings, and includes world class curing and drying technology.
Helena Ogat of Gesuke village, shares a light moment showing the vanilla beans harvested from the family vanilla blocks.
A 26-year-old vanilla farmer from Gesuke village, Mrs. Helena Ogat was overjoyed with the visit and the information that was disseminated. “I am originally from Smipen in the mountains of Nomad LLG, with limited knowledge in vanilla farming, I am very happy for the visit as it gives me more knowledge in vanilla farming.” For her and her husband’s family, vanilla has been their source of survival since planting their first 100 vines in 2015, it has had an impact by providing money for food, clothing, and school fee support, but not earning on a commercial scale. She said limitations are usually knowledge in producing high-quality yield and the inconsistency of middlemen buyers and their required fees when selling. Today she said the family has over 500 vanilla plants in their 3 family blocks.
The field visit enabled the agro development partners to better understand the current status of out-grower vanilla cultivation and the challenges farmers are facing. This will allow for future extension services, including an estimate of potential production volumes, improved cultivation techniques, and block & farmer registration.
Ian Middleton explained to the farmers and interested community members that the intention of WAH is to develop sustainable agribusiness practices to ensure there is a socio-economic future for Western Province beyond mine closure. This starts with Fly Vanilla and the opportunity to improve production, bean quality, and the current, low-quality reputation of the PNG vanilla industry.
The WestAgro Master Plan has been approved by the OTDF Board and complements the Western Province Provincial Government’s 5-year (2018-2022) provincial development pillar to support agribusiness and enabling infrastructure, through which Fly Vanilla is being developed.
This work contributes to sustainable development goals number;
Fly Vanilla Shareholders receive share-certificate
OTDF CEO Havini Vira presents a Share Certificate to North Fly MP James Donald and North Fly DDA staff
The Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), on behalf of WestAgro Holdings Limited (WAH), presented a Fly Vanilla Limited Share Certificate to the North Fly District Development Authority (NFDDA).
NFDDA, purchased the 115 shares worth PGK1.15 million in June of 2021, received the share certificate in a small ceremony on Wednesday 5 January 2022 at the North Fly District Office in Kiunga.
North Fly MP James Donald expressed that, “the DDA is purchasing the shares for our people at the community level in all the North Fly District Wards. I want the farmers to be inspired by this commitment made by the DDA. The DDA wants the impact at the ward level in turn the farmers will produce more. We need to build a bridge for transition at mine closure. What we are doing now is laying a foundation in the event that Ok Tedi closes tomorrow, we can stand firm and say we have prepared for this day and life will still go on for the people of Western Province. We want money in the pocket of our people, that’s that drive and vision for every one of us. We will continue to work together with our development partners. We are in very exciting times.”
The shares certificate gives all 115 wards in the North Fly District a shareholding through the DDA in Fly Vanilla Limited, a PGK42.9 million agribusiness enterprise. Fly Vanilla is currently constructing a vanilla nucleus estate at Samagos and supporting smallholder farmers to grow and sell vanilla on their doorstep. Fly Vanilla is the second commercial enterprise to be delivered under the WestAgro Master Plan, supporting the Western Provincial Government’s agribusiness pillar in the 5-year provincial development plan.
In presenting the shares certificate, OTDF CEO, Havini Vira said, “On behalf of the WAH Chairman and OTDF I congratulate the Chairman and Board of the NFDDA. It is only through visionary leadership that we can guide our people to a sustainable future. North Fly MP, James Donald has done well in encouraging his people to seriously pursue agriculture and this investment is evidence of planning for life after Ok Tedi.”
WAH Chairman Ian Middleton anticipates that Fly Vanilla will start buying vanilla beans from mid-2022.
WAH, in partnership with the Innovative Agro Industries (IAI) from Israel, is implementing the WestAgro Master Plan to empower Western Province families to sustainably earn an income through agriculture. The WAH vision is to turn Western Province from gold dependence into green self-reliance.
Nupmo women hold training in new CLC
A participant putting theory to practice during the training session – Picture Credit: Nupmo Women & Children’s Association
The Wurinkanatko village community witnessed the closing of the Nupmo sewing training program on 8 December 2021.
These are the first batch of participants to use the new Community Learning Center funded by the Nupmo Women and Children Association.
This is part of life skills training under the OTDF Community Development Program.
These 17 women received technical certificates, recognized by the National Department of Education through the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) Program.
Kiunga Vocation trainer Mrs. Helen Dupnai encouraged the women to go out and share the skills gained, above all to sell to earn an income and support their family.
OTDF Manager Program Services Sustainable Development Mr. Andrew Mari congratulated the participants for their achievement, in addition, encouraged the women to support each other to develop the community.
“You are the role models of your community, ask yourselves what legacy you would want to be remembered by” Mr. Mari added.
More trainings are expected to be held in the new learning center.
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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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.
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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.
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Each month, our OTDF media team creates a PDF newsletter that encapsulates the many activities and achievements by OTDF, partners and communities.
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