PNG Landowner Group, NKW Group Addresses Side Event at UNFCC COP23 in BONN Germany
20 November 2017
Bonn, GERMANY, Wednesday November 15th: Lae resident, David Stewart, from NKW Holdings Limited was invited to address a side event hosted by the Government of New Zealand and sponsored by the World Bank, at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), conference, officially referred as COP 23, in Bonn, Germany. COP23 was attended by approximately 34,000 delegates and lasted for 2 weeks from the 6th to 17th November.
Mr. Stewart is the Divisional Manager for Fresh Produce with one of Papua New Guinea’s larger landowner groups, NKW Holdings. His presentation specifically addressed the work he has been involved in on the ground with farmers while developing a precision software application to reduce waste by improving the marketing of Fresh Produce in Papua New Guinea. “I felt honoured to be in the company of world experts in their field and to be recognised for our work” He said. “The application we have developed has been regarded by many at the conference as worthy of consideration for use in other 3rd world Nations, not just Papua New Guinea”.
Mr Stewart said on his return from BONN that his presentation, “Communicated the long term additional benefits of NKW’s relatively cheap and low-tech software in addressing the UNFCCC Triple Win outcomes of Improved Productivity, Increased Climate Resilience and, by replacing imports, reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions”. He said NKW Fresh has been working with smallholder subsistence farmers in Wau, Markham and Kainantu for the past 4 years. He said “We are now on the way to significantly reducing waste simply by being able to forward market our farmer’s fresh produce”. Mr. Stewart went on to say that NKW Fresh market volumes had increased and that they were now marketing in excess of 120 tonnes of fresh produce per month, all sourced from traditionally smallholder subsistence farmers in Papua New Guinea. He also acknowledged the support from the member for Bulolo, the Hon Sam Basil in ensuring that dealings with farmers were transparent and open.
“The personal reward comes from seeing the level of community development that happens once farmer incomes become sustainable” He said. “One of our key focus areas for development is to empower women farmers by improving production and increasing income. Domestic violence is down in our production zones and farmers lives are beginning to improve.” He said “Sustainability is the key, and in Papua New Guinea, we have year round production potential for all vegetable varieties.” He said “We are looking closely now at how we can best supply export markets and fill the gaps in seasonal production for climate affected countries. This can only increase farmer incomes.”
NKW are now seeking ways to partner Australian and other international fresh produce wholesalers to assist in tapping into the skills and resources found in abundance among traditionally subsistence farmers in Papua New Guinea so that lives and circumstances can improve.