Papua New Guinea has set out an ambitious roadmap to strengthen food security and rural incomes through livestock development, as officials wrapped up senior-level discussions at the 38th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference.
Speaking at a special ministerial event focused on small island developing states, Sekie Agisa, minister for livestock and MP, positioned the livestock sector as central to the country’s food system and rural transformation strategy.
Agisa said the government aims to support around 600,000 rural households to transition from subsistence farming to commercially viable, market-oriented enterprises, with livestock identified as a key entry point for income generation and nutrition security.
To underpin the strategy, Papua New Guinea is advancing plans to establish a Livestock Industry Development Authority. The proposed body would coordinate veterinary services, strengthen value chains and improve market access for smallholder farmers.
Delegates also highlighted inclusion as a core policy priority, with discussions focusing on reducing barriers faced by women farmers and strengthening youth participation in agriculture through initiatives such as the Asia-Pacific Food Forum.
The meeting concluded alongside a digital milestone for the sector, with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launching a dedicated country website for Papua New Guinea, aimed at improving access to data, project information and development resources.
The platform is designed to serve as a central hub for government partners, researchers and communities, providing real-time updates on food security programmes, climate resilience initiatives and rural development efforts across the country.
Papua New Guinea’s push to scale up livestock production comes amid broader regional efforts to address food insecurity, climate vulnerability and limited market access in Pacific island economies.
