PAPUA NEW GUINEA COUNTRY PROJECT Presentation

1. PAPUA NEW GUINEA COUNTRY PROJECT Presentation Integrated Assessment of Trade-Related Policies and Biological Diversity in the Agriculture Sector Supporting the Implementation of the • Convention on Biological Diversity in • Papua New Guinea Geneva, 26-28 November 2007

2. OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSESSMENT To assess the impact of the expansion of oil palm and coffee plantations on the genetic biodiversity of our staple food crops of taro and sweet potato as a result of the Tariff Reform Programme which since 199 has seen reduction of tariff on all agricultural input to zero. Research have shown that since the early 1970s to 2004, there has been a loss of some 890 varieties of sweet potato over a period of 30 years. The same is assumed to be the case for taro however, we have yet to confirm this from research which have already been conducted but information was not made available to us prior to this meeting

3. FOCUS OF THE PROJECT Focus and sector loss of genetic bio diversity of sweet potatoe and taro colocassia through the cultivation and intensification of the tree cash crops of coffee and oil palm as a result of the tariff reduction programme Geographical location two geographical locations, the highlands (EHP, 1500m asl ) sweet potatoe and coffee and the coastal area (WNB, coastal low lands) for taro colocassia and oil palm Timeframe 1999-2007, assumption that TRP contributed to loss of genetic diversity in taro and sweet potatoe due to reduction in taxes on agricultural inputs as well as rise in world price for oil palm and coffee. 2008 onwards, EPA with EU and other anticipated Trade Agreements eg PACER is envisaged to further enhance loss of genetic bio diversity of the staple food crops

4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Main driving force (i.e. trade policy or measure). Trade policy aspect of the Tariffic Reform Programme • TRP has resulted in zero tariff on all agricultural inputs eg: agriculture chemicals, equipments, etc…leading to increase in production of oil palm and coffee. This in turn affects the choice in the agricultural food crop diversity of taro and sweet potato. This also affects the status of food security due to narrow crop genetic base and vulnerability to income erosion given the staple crops being dominant income source. • Extensification and intensification of oil palm and coffee estates on arable land used that was previously used to cultivate staple food crops (taro and sweet potatoes). This decreases the land available to grow sweet potatoes and taro.

5. Conceptual Framework cont… • Farmers may lose important genetic varieties of staple food crops which could be drought or pest and disease resistant. In the ecosystem sector, agriculture biodiversity is seen to come under pressure by the direct drivers of change as the land being taken up by oil palm and coffee industries. Furthermore, trade-enhanced sectors will attract labour force causing transmigration across sectors. This may affect labour availability to preserve agriculture biodiversity through on-farm conservation. On the wider biodiversity context, cultural values can also become extinct. • Positively, farmer’s production increases along with access to competitive markets hence, increased living standards. Contributing factors include; foreign reserve earnings, employment generation in the coffee and oil palm sub-sectors, empowerment to access to basic services like education and health as well as gender balance. With better education and technology it is possible to invest in conserving food crop diversity thereby negating any unfavorable effect of trade on sweet potato and taro. If free trade is negotiated and applied intelligently, should contribute to improved indices in GDP, HDI and sustainable environment, creating winners for all and losers for none or a few.

6. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK (cont.) Driving Force Pressures State Impact

7. Conceptual framework of the principal components for assessmentof linkages between trade policies, agriculture, biodiversity and ecosystem services, and human well-being

8. METHODOLOGY AND TOOLS The baseline or point of departure for the analysis of impacts. 1999 when the TRP commenced Indicators intended to be used to measure the impacts. Economic indicator- Export Share of GDP, Import volume and value of farm inputs, Percentage of household income from agriculture social indicators-S Life expectancy (rural if possible) Infant mortality rate Literacy rate School enrolment figures Gender distribution of social and economic responsibilities Migration environmental indicators Land use under different cultivation and natural ecosystems (est) Genetic varieties of the two staple food crops, taro and sweet potato Soil fertility The one or two main policy options/scenarios you will review. National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) Corporate Plans for Oil Palm and Coffee

9. METHODOLOGY AND TOOLS (cont.) Quantitative • Computable General Equilibrium, (import export data) • Regression Analysis, Genstat/SPSS (import volume and value of farm inputs) Qualitative • Desk research • Field research • Farmer interviews using questionnaires

10. UPDATE OF ASSESSMENT PROCESS Desktop research only Planned for onsite survey in the two selected provinces, (EHP,WNBP)

11. INTERIM RESULTS (i)  Economic, social and environmental impacts of the trade policy that have been identified. Increase income earned from coffee and oil palm, improve living standards, Negative impact on environment, loss of biodiversity, destruction to natural ecosystems, Sdefragmantation of ecosystem services (ii) Specific impacts on biodiversity that have been documented. Decrease in number of varieties of sweet potato and taro 2000 varieties (1970s) reduced to 1110 (NARI 2001) 870 varieties current (NARI collection) (iii) Specific scenarios that have been studied. Desktop Research done on sweet potato and taro was for entire country but field survey will concentrate on identified regions

12. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE Project team: Birte Komolong, Rosa Kambuou, Veronica Mangi, Clifton Gwabu (NARI) Maggie Moihe, Bridgette Kamish (DFAT&I) Provide information on the composition and role of the NSC. Representatives from Government, statutory bodies, private sector, civil society and NGOs. NSC’s role is to provide guidance, and direction on how the project should be implemented as well as ensuring that all necessary actions are taken by the project team to implement the project accordingly to what is contained in the project document.

13. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE (cont) . • launching held on 17/04/07 organized by NARI and attended by 30 representatives from relevant organization. Workshop was held the next day with more then 40 representatives in attendance • successful launching followed by the first NSC Meeting resulting in election of officer bearers • intention of workshop to introduce and teach participants about the steps of IA was good however, timing was too short for participants to fully comprehend and understand the whole integrated assessment process of trade related policies and bio diversity in the agriculture sector Describe other important activities conducted to date. conducting desk top research for data collection purposes identifying and establishing a committed working team from NARI and DFAT&I to work on the project

14. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE (cont) • Hold Second NSC Meeting • Presentation of developed Indicators/criteria's of Agro Biodiversity and other planned project activities to NSC for comments and approval • Put together Information paper for the National Executive Council (NEC) • Organize and conduct national awareness workshops on the project (IA) in Lae (second city) • Establish contacts with identified sector organizations and Conduct Field Assessment Surveys • Application of IA to any policy recommendation for the next 6 months

15. MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS • successful launching of the project workshop, • formation of the Project Steering Committee and selection of office bearers, • successful hosting of the capacity building workshop which was well attended by all identified stakeholders including other interested parties who were not invited but were interested in the issue. • Firm and bold commitment by the two lead organization of NARI, and DFAT through the identification of specific officers to be responsible for the project. • Identification of the criteria and indicators (draft) • Identification and setting up of the conceptual framework (draft) • Identification of policy context

16. MAIN CHALLENGES • To ensure that biodiversity issues are reflected in the trade policy when formulated. • An understanding of the implications of trade-related policies on other sectors • Raise awareness and support of the importance of protection and conservation of agro-biodiversity in the trade policy context • Educate the public (commercial and semi commercial farmers on importance of preventing genetic erosion of crops • Integration of these sectors is the first of its kind for Papua New Guinea • Establish, coordinate and sustain the interest of the project’s stakeholders • Encourage more production and consumption of local staples with less emphasis on imported foods.

17. MAP OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA