The EU-STREIT PNG programme successfully concluded its two-day National Learning and Innovation Event in Wewak, bringing together policymakers, technical officers, development partners, and key stakeholders from across Papua New Guinea. The event served as a vibrant platform for sharing knowledge, showcasing innovations, and strategizing the replication and scaling of the programme’s integrated development model nationwide.
Highlights from the Event
The programme’s comprehensive integrated development approach was presented in detail, highlighting its impact on productivity, market access, digital connectivity, and infrastructure improvements benefiting tens of thousands of rural families. Attendees engaged with interactive booths demonstrating cutting-edge cocoa and vanilla innovations, alongside best practices in sustainable agribusiness development.
Field visits to selected production and post-harvest processing sites offered firsthand exposure to the practical application of EU-STREIT initiatives, inspiring participants with real-world examples of success.
One of the event’s most inspiring moments came from the success stories shared by farmers and agripreneurs who have transitioned from subsistence farming to value-added agribusinesses, now accessing premium international markets. These narratives underscored the transformative potential of the EU-STREIT model in fostering inclusive rural economic growth.
Collaborative Exchange and Forward Planning
Participants actively exchanged ideas, lessons learned, and best practices throughout the event. A key focus was placed on strategies for replicating and scaling the EU-STREIT PNG development model across other provinces to drive sustainable and inclusive growth nationwide.
The event brought together vital partners including the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), National Department of Agriculture and Livestock (NDAL), Cocoa Board of PNG, Spice Board of PNG, provincial Division of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) offices, and numerous civil society and private sector representatives.
About EU-STREIT PNG
As the European Union’s largest grant-funded rural development initiative in Papua New Guinea, the EU-STREIT PNG programme continues to strengthen the agricultural sector by boosting productivity, improving market access, enhancing digital connectivity, and supporting infrastructure development. Its innovative, integrated approach is generating significant socio-economic benefits for rural communities, fostering resilience, and contributing to national development goals.