EU-STREIT PNG Begins Key Agricultural Training Complex Renovation in the Sepik, Papua New Guinea

EU-STREIT PNG Begins Key Agricultural Training Complex Renovation in the Sepik, Papua New Guinea

Renovation begins on Wewak's agricultural training and extension serviced complex, enhancing a facility crucial for farmer support as part of the wider EU-STREIT PNG Programme. This Programme represents the EU's first Global Gateway flagship initiative in PNG, aiming to boost sustainable rural development.

The European Union-funded STREIT Programme in Papua New Guinea (EU-STREIT PNG) has officially commenced renovation and expansion works on the East Sepik Provincial Division of Agriculture and Livestock (ESP-DAL) Training and Office Complex in Wewak.

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Papua New Guinea Department of Agriculture and Livestock (PNG DAL) Secretary Dr Sergie Bang, European Union (EU) Ambassador Jacques Fradin, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Richard Howard, EU-STREIT PNG Programme Coordinator Ali Said Yesuf, as well as national and local stakeholders, underscoring the partnership's collective dedication to sustainable agricultural development.

Scheduled for completion in October 2025, the upgraded facility will include a fully equipped training hall for 80 participants, advanced audiovisual and IT equipment, dedicated meeting rooms, enhanced office spaces, and a central front desk to efficiently serve agripreneurs, farmers, and stakeholders.

Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Jacques Fradin, Ambassador of the European Union to Papua New Guinea, stated: "This office complex is a gift from the people of Europe through the funding of the European Union under our Global Gateway Strategy. It is a very powerful asset to expand the legacy of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, continue building capacity locally but also reach out to any remote region in PNG or beyond for exchanges or mentoring, thanks to its IT equipment."

Emphasizing the project's significance for national agriculture, PNG DAL Secretary Dr Sergie Bangi commented, "The cocoa and vanilla production in Sepik has significantly increased. The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, managed by FAO and supporting UN agencies, has done exceptionally well. East and West Sepik and the EU-STREIT PNG Programme have shown us the way forward. This facility will foster connections, capacity building, and knowledge transfer across PNG and abroad, representing the future of agricultural development. Special thanks to the EU for funding."

Focusing on the community benefits, United Nations Resident Coordinator Richard Howard remarked, "We are very fortunate that the EU-STREIT PNG Programme intervened at the right time, coinciding with a rise in cocoa global market prices, significantly boosting income in Sepik. The community-driven success here is extraordinary, with substantial returns reinvested locally. This training centre is vital for expanding future gains by training farmers and community members."

Detailing the investment and future use, EU-STREIT PNG Programme Coordinator Ali Said Yesuf noted, "This is a significant investment costing over PGK 2.5 million. I urge all divisions in the province to consider this facility beyond agriculture; it has the potential for delivering trainings in education, health, nutrition, and business and other fields, both face-to-face and online. ESP-DAL should develop a sustainable business plan for running and maintenance of this facility, ensuring its long-term operational sustainability."

By modernizing this infrastructure, ESP-DAL will significantly enhance its capacity to deliver effective training, knowledge dissemination, and agricultural support services. This strategic investment directly contributes to improved farming practices, productivity, food security, and economic opportunities in the region.

The renovation complements earlier EU-STREIT PNG infrastructure projects, including the solar powered and environment friendly office facility constructed in 2022 housing ESP-DAL units, Cocoa Board regional offices, and the National Agriculture & Quarantine Inspection Authority (NAQIA). Collectively, these efforts strengthen the agricultural institutional capacities comprehensively in East Sepik Province.

These combined infrastructure investments align with wider European Union priorities and PNG's Mid Term Development Plan IV 2023-2027. The support to sustainable infrastructure under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme serves as the first articulation of the EU Global Gateway Strategy in Papua New Guinea, positioning the Programme as the country's initial flagship project under this global initiative. The Global Gateway strategy supports quality infrastructure investments respecting high social and environmental standards, focusing on key sectors like climate, green energy, sustainable transport, digitalisation, health, education and research in the European Union's partner countries.