LAND ACCESS WORKING GROUP
Following a quick land access study which produced the Land Access Study Report, the Land Access Working Group was established and held its inaugural meeting on 5 February 2020. Representatives in the working group are from agribusinesses, the PNG government, civil society organizations and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
THE TOP THREE PRIORITIES FOR THE GROUP ARE:
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BUSINESS CASE FOR NEW LAND DISPUTE MECHANISM
The group is developing a business case for an alternative dispute resolution mechanism that will support the dispute settlement authorities of Incorporated Land Groups (ILGs).
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This database will complement the satellite and soil information of the Markham region to generate interest from farmers and agribusinesses for partnership in agricultural investment.
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LAND ACCESS GUIDE FOR LANDOWNERS AND AGRIBUSINESSES
The Guide (and Appendices) aims to assist both landowners and agribusinesses in forging and maintaining mutually beneficial arrangements in commercial agricultural development. Awareness training and capacity-building opportunities are planned as follow-up activities to the rollout of the Guide.
Grow PNG hopes that the user guide, complemented by better land dispute mediation system and hard data on land assets in the Markham will unlock the growth of the agriculture sector in this rich area of the country.
Other Activities Under Land Access
The LAWG also proposed a work program contained in the Land Access Study Report. While not all activities will be implemented, there is a clear indication from the study and subsequent conversations , that landowners and farmers require business development support. A comprehensive work program will be developed around identified key issues that are limiting farmer participation in agriculture development.
