As Papua New Guinea (PNG) celebrates 50 years of independence this year, the emerging galip nut industry brings together many of the country’s aspirations for improved livelihoods, increased agricultural production and new markets that celebrate indigenous foods.
ACIAR has supported research for a wide range of food and forestry crops in PNG, as well as fisheries and livestock, often investing over many years. Projects have been designed to overcome technical challenges such as disease and low yields, while improving the skills and capacity of smallholder farmers.
Efforts have focused on traditional crops such as sweetpotato, coconut and taro, and export crops such as palm oil, coffee and cocoa. However, the galip nut investment has helped create a whole new industry.
