The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), convened a coordination workshop to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders under the Global Environment Facility-7 Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (GEF-7 FOLUR) Project. The workshop brought together representat...

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is strengthening efforts to improve cocoa traceability on New Britain Island, aiming to support sustainable production and enhance market opportunities for Papua New Guinea’s cocoa farmers. The initiative comes as global consumers increasingly demand transparency in the environmental and ethical standards...

The Papua New Guinea government is set to redevelop the 20,000-hectare Urimo Cattle Ranch in the Sepik Plains in partnership with New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL), according to Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru. Maru said the ranch, once a thriving livestock hub, has been idle since the late 1970s and will be revived as p...

The World Bank has committed US$250 million (more than K1 billion) to support the implementation of Papua New Guinea’s National Agriculture Sector Plan (NASP) 2024–2033, with funding channelled through the PNG Agriculture Commercialization and Diversification Project (PACD). Prime Minister James Marape officially launched the PNG AgriConnect Project on...

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), through the Bougainville Agriculture Commodities Regulatory Authority (BACRA), has issued cocoa export licenses to six companies as it strengthens regulatory control over the sector and reports record production in 2025. The first three licenses were issued in October 2025 to Sankamap, Elliven and Bougainvi...

The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, on 3 February paid a courtesy visit to fishing companies in Lae, Morobe Province, to outline the Government’s strategic direction for the fisheries industry of Papua New Guinea (PNG). During the visit, Minister Maru met with management and staff of Frabelle PNG Limited, Majestic Se...

Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru says the proposed acquisition of State equity in Ramu Agri Industries (RAI) will be the most significant agriculture deal in Papua New Guinea’s 51-year history. “This is transformational — this investment will go beyond this generation,” Maru said. The minister made the remarks during a di...

The Ministry of International Trade and Investment (MITI) and the Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) have formalised a partnership to accelerate the development of Papua New Guinea’s cattle industry, with a focus on reducing the country’s reliance on imported beef. LDC Managing Director Terry Koim met with Minister for International Trade and Inve...

 Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru will travel to Malaysia to meet the board and management of SD Guthrie to advance discussions on the state’s proposed acquisition of shares in Ramu Agri Industries (RAI). SD Guthrie currently owns New Britain Palm Oil Ltd., which holds interests linked to RAI. The talks are part of the gover...

The Government’s initiative to establish a coconut processing plant in Madang, in partnership with Sri Lankan firm Jaindi Exports, is progressing as planned, according to the Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru. Minister Maru made the announcement following the weekend visit of Jaindi Exports’ Founder and Managing Director, Mr ...

Papua New Guinea’s agricultural production and productivity have been in steady decline for more than two decades, and continued emphasis on policies and legislation will not reverse the trend unless there is a fundamental change in how farming is carried out on the ground, according to Farmers and Settlers Association President Wilson Thompson in an inte...

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended Samarai-Murua District in Milne Bay Province for its first fish export under a joint venture with Thai company Pornupphan 2018 Co. Limited, marking a milestone in the district’s economic development and fisheries sector. The partnership involves the district’s fishing business, Kekeisi Limited, and the Tha...

Papua New Guinea has renewed its call for fairness, strengthened scientific management, and climate-resilient policies at the Twenty-Second Annual Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC22), held 1 to 5 December in Manila, Philippines. Addressing ministers, fisheries heads and delegates from across the region, Min...

Discussions have been concluded between the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, and the Chairman of New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL), Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, for the State to take equity in Ramu Agri Industries Ltd (RAI) early next year. Minister Maru, who is also responsible for State Equity, said that the...

A cocoa cupping competition in East Sepik, Papua New Guinea, brought nine British specialty buyers and boutique chocolatiers together to taste chocolates made from 39 samples provided by Sepik cocoa producers. Judges and visitors praised the beans’ consistent processing and A-grade export quality, signalling strong international market interest. The mi...

Prime Minister James Marape on 2 November commended Parliament for passing the Coffee Industry Bill 2025 by an overwhelming majority of 72–0 votes, describing it as a historic step towards revitalising Papua New Guinea’s agricultural base and empowering millions of rural households. The Bill, introduced by Minister for Coffee William Bando, establishes...