Climate change funding prospect to boost food production

Posted on:Aug 06, 2019News

The participation of Central, Milne Bay and Western provinces in the Green Climate Fund (GCF) concept note consultations conducted by DAL between July and August 2019 was an intervention with great purpose and in the right direction. The three target provinces in the Southern region are experiencing incidences of severe to extreme drought conditions, and these impacts have directly led to decrease in food crop yields and household food in-security

DAL’s Deputy Secretary for Technical Services, Stephen Mesa, said that effects of climate change are well documented and ensuring food security for PNG is top priority for the current Marape-Steven government.

Mesa said consultation through meaningful and vibrant communication was critical with changing government policies, let alone climate change and impact on our people. He said with the GCF assistance, DAL is ready to work with the three target provinces to build resilient climate communities to integrate climate smart agriculture practices to improve and increase local crop food production.

Mesa, representing DAL Secretary, was speaking at a one-day consultation organized by DAL for Central province administration and farmers on the GCF Simplified Approval Process concept note. The consultation was to present the background and objectives of the GCF and how funding can be accessed for climate change impact projects.

Mr Mesa said that the Government has emphasized on agriculture and that food production must increase in the next few years. He said the GCF is already becoming a big picture of PNG’s future in food and agriculture production. This consultation to seek GCF intervention will unlock the agriculture potential in the provinces and districts.

He urged the provinces to improve their communication and linkages with the DAL regional offices to ensure quick and consistent flow of information, new technology application, programme implementation and coordination where and when needed.

He also urged the provinces to embrace the PNG e-agriculture strategy, which is taking PNG agriculture to a higher level using digital technology to address issues of extension delivery, information, marketing services to farmers.