WORKING GROUP FORMATION
AND FACILITATION
The team works with a range of sector stakeholders on issues ranging from land titling to infrastructure needs and skills development. Grow PNG will consult partners and proceed to establish a new Working Group when there is demonstrated interest and alignment with Grow PNG’s goals and principles.
1. LAND ACCESS
The Land Access Working Group was established to address land access challenges in the Markham region, convening stakeholders from agribusinesses, the PNG government, civil society, and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Their primary goal is to develop a comprehensive Land Access Guide, supplemented by appendices, to facilitate mutually beneficial arrangements between landowners and agribusinesses. Additionally, the group aims to propose a new dispute resolution mechanism and establish a Land Audit Database to unlock the growth potential of the agricultural sector in the region.
2. GENDER
Grow PNG prioritizes supporting programs uplifting women in the Markham Valley, particularly those dependent on agriculture. The organization plans to enhance existing programs include gender-focused training workshops, documenting successful gender inclusion practices, and promoting exemplary women farmers and agribusiness owners. These efforts aim to foster gender equality, empowerment, and inclusion within Papua New Guinea and across the broader Grow Asia network.
3. FARMING AS A BUSINESS - WABA 'ANI AGRI PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (WAPP)
Grow PNG is excited to announce that the Waba’Ani Agri Investment Partnership Program (WAPP) will be launched in 2025. Developed in partnership with the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT), WAPP is a targeted training package designed to address a critical knowledge gap identified through ongoing engagement with landholders in the Markham and Ramu Valleys. The program aims to equip landowners with the skills and understanding needed to approach farming as a business and to navigate the processes involved in entering formal agribusiness partnerships with investors. It will cover key topics including farming as a business, land tenure and access, requirements for agri-partnership deals, and cross-cutting issues such as gender mainstreaming, inclusivity, and livelihood development. Ahead of the launch, consultations with key stakeholders are ongoing to ensure the program is practical, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of communities.
