February 19, 2026
Seminar | IFPRI Program / Country Event
The International Food Policy Research Institute, in collaboration with Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Department of Health and the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, is hosting an opening ceremony of the IFPRI-PNG country office and a research seminar titled “Evidence for transforming agriculture and economic growth in Papua New Guinea”, on February 19th and 20th, 2026.
As a part of 4-year economic and food system research program granted to IFPRI by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Australian High Commission (AHC) in Port Moresby and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). The seminar will discuss evidence-based research focused on agricultural transformation and economic growth in PNG.
February 19 & 20, 2026 | Lamana Hotel: Athenian Hall | Port Moresby
This event is hosted by IFPRI in collaboration with PMNEC, DNPM, DAL, NARI & FPDA under the PNG Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Policy Support Program (PNG-AFNP).
| Thursday February 19th: 12:00 - 4:00 PM |
| Registration & Light Refreshment 12:00 – 1:00 PM |
| Official Opening of IFPRI PNG Country Office 1:00 -1:30 PM |
| MC: Mr. Brown Konabe, Director, Food Security Branch, DAL |
| Keynote speakers |
| Mr. Ivan Pomaleu OBE | Chief Secretary, PMNEC |
| Hon. Sir Ano Pala KBE,CMG, ISO, LLB, MP | Minister for National Planning |
| Mr. Koney Samuel | Secretary DNPM |
| Dr. Cate Rogers | Minister Counsellor (Economics, Health and Infrastructure), DFAT |
| RESEARCH SEMINAR DAY 1: 1:30 – 4:00 PM |
| Dr. Kwaw Andam | Country Program Leader, IFPRI-PNG – Introduction to Research Seminar |
| Session 1: Informing macroeconomic trends and opportunities 1:30 – 2:15 PM |
| Mr. Michael Kumung (DNPM) - Tracing the Economic Impacts of the 2025 US Tariff Increases |
| Mr. Sanja Pepae (DNPM) – Expanding access to telecommunication services |
| Ms. Elsa Mumu (DNPM) – Improving Agricultural Productivity |
| Dr. Kwaw Andam (IFPRI): Regional implications of public investments and external shocks |
| Discussant: Secretary of DNPM, Mr. Koney Samuel (tbc): 2:15 – 2:30 PM |
| Question and Answer 2:30 – 2:45 PM |
| Coffee / Tea 2:45 - 3:00 PM |
| Session 2: Household wellbeing, women’s agency and child development 3:00-3:30 PM |
| Ms. Trudie Sikas-Iha (IFPRI): Insights from the PNG urban low skill wage survey |
| Dr. Emily Schmidt (IFPRI): Impact of small business ownership on child education and household welfare outcomes |
| Ms. Peggy Kala (UPNG): Women’s empowerment and child nutrition in the Asia – Pacific region: Evidence from Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste |
| Discussant: Deputy Secretary, DAL, Mrs. Regina Nukundj 3:30 – 3:45 PM |
| Question and Answer 3:45 – 4:00 PM |
| END OF DAY 1 |
| Friday February 20th: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM |
| RESEARCH SEMINAR DAY 2 9:00 – 1:30 PM |
| MC: Mr. Brown Konabe, Director, Food Security Branch, DAL |
| Session 3: Understanding the Fresh Produce Value Chain 9:00 – 10:30 |
| Mr. Alan Saffery (APEP): Integrated Fresh Produce Initiative Programming |
| Mrs. Belinda Monoi(NARI): Insights and transaction costs from a fresh produce value chain study |
| Mr. Glen Hayoge (FPDA): Facilitating fresh produce market flows through the Market for Village Farmers project |
| Raywin Ovah (NARI): Strengthening value chains and agricultural production opportunities in PNG |
| Discussant: Director General NARI, Dr. Nelson Simbiken 10:00 – 10:10 |
| Question and Answer 10:10 – 10:30 |
| Coffee / Tea 10:30 - 10:50 |
| Session 4: Preparing for a changing climate 10:50 – 11:20 |
| Mr. Harry Gimiseve: Modeled climate risk for taro under diverse climate scenarios |
| Mr. Kasis Inape (National Weather Service): Building climate resilience into agricultural practice: Seasonal Farm Advisory Services in the Eastern Highlands region |
| Dr. Emily Schmidt (IFPRI): Gendered effects of rainfall on early childhood nutrition |
| Discussant: Acting General Manager, REDD+ and Mitigation Division, CCDA Mr. Terence Barambi (tbc) 11:20 – 11:30 |
| Question and Answer 11:30 – 11:50 |
| Closing 11:50 – 12:20 |
| Keynote Speakers |
| Dr. Sergie Bang (tbc) | Secretary DAL |
| Dr. Norah Omot | Country Manager, ACIAR |
| Lunch 12:20 – 1:30 |
| END OF EVENT |
