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Early warning and drought preparedness for improved management of crop production in Papua New Guinea

Project ID:
ASEM/2006/129: Early warning and drought preparedness for improved management of crop production in Papua New Guinea
Collaborating Countries:
Papua New Guinea
Commissioned Organisation:
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, Australia
Project Leader
Dr Yahya Abawi
Phone: 07 4688 1123
Fax: 07 4688 1490
Email: yahya.abawi@climatechange.qld.gov.au
Collaborating Institutions:
  • Bureau of Meteorology, Australia
  • PNG National Weather Service, Papua New Guinea
  • National Agricultural Research Institute, Papua New Guinea
Project Budget:
$149,710
Project Duration:
01/04/2008 - 30/06/2010
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Dr Caroline Lemerle
Project Overview

Many Pacific Island countries including PNG rely on subsistence farming and as such are vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability and climate extremes (floods and droughts). The ability of PNG to respond to these challenges will be largely influenced by their preparedness at local, institutional and national levels. An early warning system based on seasonal climate forecasts and building local capacity in use of this technology is seen as a major step towards meeting these challenges.

The highly variable climate also impacts greatly on the country's economy. In PNG, coffee production can generate almost thirty percent of the overall revenue for the country, and is the major cash-earning crop for the majority of people living in the rural areas. Statistics have shown that coffee production experiences significant fluctuations mainly due to either too dry or too wet conditions which are associated with the El Nio and La Nia phenomena. Understanding the impacts of climate on PNG's agriculture and the ability to predict these events with sufficient lead time for government and farmers to take remedial action and adapt to a changing climate is crucial to the long term sustainability of PNG's agriculture and the wellbeing of their people.