Grow PNG Contributes to National Dialogue on Youth Employment Through Agriculture

Grow PNG participated in the 5th PNG Christian Professionals Network (PNG-CPN) Minds-Meet Panel Discussion in Lae, Morobe Province, on Friday, 30th of May, contributing to a critical national conversation on youth unemployment and the role of agriculture in driving youth employment in Papua New Guinea.

The event was held at the University of Technology’s Rose Kekedo Lecture Theatre (RKLT) and brought together more than 30 policymakers, researchers, development partners, and private sector representatives to discuss practical solutions to one of PNG’s most pressing development challenges. The program was hosted by PNG-CPN, which is part of the PNG-Australia Church Partnership Program, with support from the Australian Government through the PNGAus Partnership – Building Community Engagement in PNG (BCEP).

Grow PNG’s Contribution

Grow PNG was represented by Ms. Heather Apo, Program Associate, who participated as a panelist under the session:

“Youth Employability – What are the Industry Challenges when it Comes to Employing Youths?”

Drawing from Grow PNG’s field experience, Ms. Apo highlighted structural and practical barriers faced by young people entering the agriculture sector, including limited access to land, finance, skills development, and market opportunities. She emphasized the importance of shifting perceptions of agriculture from subsistence farming to a viable and dignified business pathway for youth.

“Young people are interested in agriculture, but the system often fails to meet them halfway. If we want youth to be employable in agribusiness, we must intentionally invest in skills, access to finance, and market-driven opportunities that make agriculture a business—not just a livelihood,” said Ms. Apo.

In a collaborative effort to advance agriculture and youth development, PNGRIS in-country partners—Grow PNG, the National Department of Agriculture and Livestock (NDAL), and the Forestry Research Institute (FRI)—came together at the 5th Minds Meet Panel Discussion on “How Agriculture Can Address Unemployment Among Youth,” held on May 30th at the PNG University of Technology in Lae.(From left: Regina Nukundj (NDAL), Heather Apo (Grow PNG), Nalisha Sam (FRI), Julie Sip (Grow PNG)).

High-Level Engagement and Key Discussions

The panel discussion featured high-level speakers and sector leaders, including:

• Mr. Bart Philemon, Former Treasurer and Member of Parliament for Lae Open, who shared valuable insights into youth aspirations and the economic challenges they face.

• Vice Chancellor Prof. Ora Renagi, who delivered a heartfelt address on community development and the empowerment of youth.

• Mrs. Regina Nukundj, Acting Secretary of the National Department of Agriculture and Livestock (NDAL), and Ms. Dorcus Mileng, Acting Deputy Director General of the National Youth Development Authority (NYDA), who highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts between government, the private sector, and development partners

• Dr. Livingstone Tavul, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Natural Resources and Environment, whose presentation offered practical examples that could be replicated to empower young farmers in other regions.

Dr. Livingstone Tavul, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Natural Resources and Environment, presents his concept on “From Wards to Work and Wealth,” exploring strategies to create meaningful employment opportunities for youth at the village ward level.

Mrs. Regina Nukundj, Acting Secretary of the National Department of Agriculture and Livestock (NDAL), providing an overview of NDAL’s government policies and strategic development plans aimed at addressing youth unemployment.

These contributions highlighted practical strategies to strengthen youth employability and agribusiness engagement, while illuminating pathways to address unemployment through agriculture.

Key discussion areas included:

• Creating employment opportunities for youth at the ward and village level

• Addressing PNG’s youth bulge through agriculture

• Strengthening private sector and government alignment to expand youth employment pathways

• Identifying industry challenges that limit youth employability in the agriculture sector

Strengthening Partnerships for Youth Employment

Grow PNG’s participation in the Minds-Meet platform reflects its ongoing commitment to inclusive agricultural development, youth empowerment, and policy advocacy. By sharing grounded, community-based insights, Grow PNG continues to support national efforts to position agriculture as a sustainable driver of youth employment, economic growth, and community resilience.

Grow PNG thanks PNG Christian Professionals Network (PNG-CPN), part of the PNG-Australia Church Partnership Program, and its partners for convening this important forum and looks forward to continued collaboration to advance youth-led agricultural development across the country.

Way Forward / Next Steps

The main focus of Minds-Meet 5 in Lae is to influence the Job Creation Strategy being drafted by the Department of Labour and Industry. Grow PNG’s insights, together with the collective learnings from the forum, will support evidence-based recommendations, particularly emphasizing the needs of the 80% of PNG’s population engaged in farming.

The forum also identified several opportunities for replication and scaling, including community-based agricultural initiatives, youth skills programs, and partnerships between government, private sector, and development agencies. Further engagement will involve policy support, advocacy, and knowledge sharing to ensure agriculture remains a central pathway for youth employment in PNG.