March 2026
The University of Queensland invited IFPRI-PNG to participate in an Australia Awards–funded short course on Food Security and Climate Resilience. The short course, delivered in collaboration with Pacific Adventist University (PAU), PNG, and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), targeted mid- to senior-level officials working in agriculture and natural resources management across Papua New Guinea. Kwaw Andam, Country Program Leader, IFPRI-PNG, led a session on collaborative research and capacity strengthening.

Picture credit: IFPRI-PNG
The presentation described IFPRI’s long-term engagement strategy in PNG, highlighting key partnerships with national agricultural institutions, and to provide an overview of past research contributions and ongoing initiatives to demonstrate the value of evidence-based policy support. It also sought to facilitate dialogue with key stakeholders to identify emerging priorities for collaboration, exchange perspectives on recent developments in the agriculture sector, and explore opportunities for joint work. The presentation was a comprehensive overview of IFPRI-PNG’s portfolio, outlining past contributions to value chain research, food security analysis, and policy support, as well as planned areas of work. It also highlighted the Institute’s partnerships with the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA), and the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL).
Participants included representatives from these institutions, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) Government, and over 25 researchers and policy practitioners. Following the presentation, participants engaged in a Q&A session, exchanging perspectives and identifying potential areas for future collaboration between IFPRI and PNG’s agricultural institutions.

