1. science
2. medicine
3. medical research

 The Natiional Researrch Institute
e Naational Land Developme
ent Conferen
nce on Make Our Laand Work’ in ‘How to M
Paapua New Guinea The National Research Institute National Land Development Conference on ‘How to Make Our Land Work’ in Papua New Guinea 29 – 31 October 2012 Making Our Land Work in Papua New Guinea The National Research Institute Port Moresby Papua New Guinea i Conference Organising Committee
Core Members
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Dr Charles Yala, Professorial Research Fellow, Land
Development Research Program – Chairman and
Conference Convener
Mr Esekia Warvi, Interim Manager, National Land
Development Program – Conference co-convener
Dr Modowa Gumoi, Senior Research Fellow,
Economic Policy Program - Member
Mr Vincent Pyati, Research Fellow, Land
Development Research Program - Member
Mr Emmanuel Mungu, Senior Research Fellow,
Housing Secretariat - Member
Ms Logea Nao, Project Officer, Land Development
Research Program – Member
Mr Bill Ain, Project Officer, Land Development
Research Program - Member
Ms Esther Haro, External Relations Unit Leader Member
Mr Dennis Badi, Research Communications Specialist
- Member
Ms Eunice Kivan, Research Administration Assistant,
Wealth Creation Pillar - Member
Co-opted Members
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Ms Kani Kikman Research Administration Assistant,
Institutional Strengthening Pillar
ii •
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Ms Lorraine Ponifasio, Research Communications
Specialist, People Pillar
Mr Siling Geatulu, Printery Manager
Mr Logo Lotu, Buildings and Maintenance Manager
Mr Demas Tololo, Program Manager, NRI
Infrastructure Development
Mr Kenneth Kuve, Finance Officer
Ms Georgia Kaipu, Executive Assistant
Acknowledgements
The conference organizing committee would like to
acknowledge all National Research Institute (NRI) staff
who have contributed to the hosting of this important
conference. In particular, the committee would like to
thank the Director of the National Research Institute,
Dr Thomas Webster, for his leadership and advice;
Michael Pepena, Deputy Director, Corporate Services;
and those whose tireless efforts within NRI and
externally, have contributed to the ultimate success of
the national land conference.
iii Message from the Director
The National Research Institute (NRI),
through the Wealth Creation Pillar,
has taken the initiative to examine
issues related to the development of
land in Papua New Guinea.
Land reform has proven to be a very
sensitive issue in Papua New Guinea,
and continues to be a cumbersome task. Through a process
initiated in 2005 under my leadership, the Government of
PNG began implementing a long-term land development
program that has succeeded on several fronts at the initial
stages – this notably includes the successful passage of two
laws aimed at mobilizing land held under customary tenure
for development in March, 2009.
There is nevertheless, more to be done in terms of improving
access to land for development and for the improvement of
livelihoods of Papua New Guineans.
Through the course of this three (3) day conference, we hope
that we can identify and discuss some issues and pave the way
forward to unlocking the constraints faced in developing land
throughout the country.
This conference has been designed to provide a wide range of
stakeholders with a platform to share information and develop
policies, strategies and programs to answer the theme
question: “How Can We Make Our Land Work?”
iv Landowners, policy makers, policy advocates, and
representatives from government agencies, civil society
organizations, private sector, development partners and the
general public have been invited to interact and identify some
processes that will unlock the constraints to the development
of land in PNG.
Some of the key themes that will be addressed by
international and local presenters include:
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The Institutional Basis for Making Land Work;
Enhancing the Role of Land in the Pursuit for
Economic Growth and Development in Papua New
Guinea;
Land Reform Policy Implementation and Lessons;
Tenure Security for the Mining, Oil and Gas Sector
Tenure Security for the Agriculture Sector
Development;
Land Tenure Security for Urban as well as Rural
Development;
Land Tenure Security for the land and housing market;
The Land Research Framework; and
Exploring Research Themes.
The findings and recommendations from the conference will
contribute towards implementing your Government’s
Platform for Action, and the land development provisions
under the Medium Term Development Plan (2011 – 2015),
Development Strategic Plan (2010-2030), and PNG Vision
2050.
v I would like to thank the conference organizing committee,
the keynote speakers, presenters of papers, session
chairpersons and panelists, and you as the participants, in
helping to make this conference a success. Collectively, we
can all play a role to make our land work.
Dr Thomas Webster
Director
The National Research Institute
vi Remarks from the
Conference Convener
The
National
Land
Development
Conference (NLDC) is an integral part of
the National Land Development Program’s
(NLDP) implementation plan. The NLDP
is a Government of PNG initiative
implementing the recommendations that
emanated from the National Land
Development Taskforce (NLDT).
The NLDP constitutes four thematic components:
• Improving the system of land administration
• Improving the system of land disputes settlements
• Development of a framework for developing customary
land
• Development of a framework for facilitating the
development of a viable land and properties market
The NLDP has established a Land Research Program (LRP)
within the National Research Institute (NRI) to undertake
research and provide oversight of the implementation of the
NLDP. A Land Research Framework (LRF) has been
developed to initiate, guide, and coordinate the research
activities of the NLDP.
The types of research defined in the research framework falls
under four thematic areas:
Strategic research - research that requires long-term data
gathering and analysis that may lead to generating information
that adds to the pool of knowledge and policy,
vii Enabling research - research undertaken that track
implementation and inform policy,
Research on cross-cutting issues - issues that have cross
cutting implications that require adopting multidisciplinary
approaches to research, and
Informing research - research on emerging issues as when
they arise.
The land research framework provides the framework for
identifying research projects and/or activities, providing
funding for the conduct of the research, engaging researchers
through the various pathways, providing quality control
mechanisms, and providing mechanisms for disseminating the
findings to stakeholders.
The land research framework proposed the need to have a
three yearly cycle national land conference aimed at:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Disseminating research findings
Updating the research framework
Informing the broader stakeholder about the NLDP
implementation
Identifying emerging issues for research
This year’s national land development conference is the
inaugural conference. The objectives of this conference are to:
• Provide an update on the NLDP implementation;
• explore and demonstrate new opportunities under the
new land reforms;
• explore research projects aimed at informing the NLDP
implementation; and
• devise research pathways to undertake the research.
viii Consequently, the program is organized as follows: The first
two days are geared towards achieving the first two
objectives, and the third day is geared towards achieving the
last two objectives.
The outcomes of this conference will guide and inform the
research to be undertaken and the policy oversight role that
the land research program will provide to the NLDP
implementation in the next two years. The results from the
research conducted within the next two years will be
presented in the second national land conference to be held in
2015.
Dr Charles Yala
Associate Professorial Research Fellow & Land Research
Program Leader
National Research Institute
ix Conference Program
Master of Ceremonies: Mr. Chillion Isaiah, Deputy Secretary, Constitutional Law Reform Commission Conference Rapporteurs: Lorraine Ponifasio, Belden Endekra and Vincent Yawimbari x MONDAY 29 OCTOBER 2012 TIME ACTIVITY 8:30 ‐ 9:45 9:45 ‐ 9:50 REGISTRATION
OPENING REMARKS Mr Esekia Warvi, Interim Manager, National Land Development Program
9:50 ‐ 10:00 WELCOME REMARKS Dr. Thomas Webster, Director, NRI 10:00 ‐ 10:15 OPENING ADDRESS Hon. Benny Allan, MP, Minister for Lands and Physical Planning 10:15 ‐ 10:30 KEYNOTE ADDRESS Hon. Leo Dion, MP, Acting Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea 10:30 ‐ 10:50 LAUNCH OF PUBLICATIONS Hon. Leo Dion, MP, Acting Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea 10:50 ‐ 11:00 SESSION 1 Subtheme 11:00 ‐ 11:20 MORNING TEA BREAK CHAIRPERSON: Dr. Thomas Webster, Director, National Research Institute Institutional Basis for Making Land Work Unpacking the Conceptual Framework underpinning the Papua New Guinea Land Reform aimed at making land work Associate Professor Dr. Charles Yala, Land Development Research Program, NRI 11:20 ‐ 11:40 Lessons from the Korean Land Reform Experience for Papua New Guinea Mincheol Lee and Younghyun Kim, Technology Development Department, xi Spatial Information Research Institute, Korea Cadastral Survey Corporation and Overseas Projects Department, Korea 11:40 ‐ 12:00 Unpacking the synergies between the Papua New Guinea land reform and the Korean Experience Professor Satish Chand, University of New South Wales and Research Associate, National Research Institute. 12:00 ‐ 12:20 12:20 ‐ 1:20 Session 2: Subtheme 1:20 ‐ 1:40 Panel Discussion and Recommendations Dr. Charles Yala, Mincheol Lee, Younghyun Kim, and Professor Satish Chand
LUNCH CHAIRPERSON: Mr. Paul Barker, Director, Institute of National Affairs Enhancing the Role of Land in the Pursuit for Economic Growth and Development in Papua New Guinea Driving broad based and sustained rural sector development through the economic corridors Mr. Joseph Kapa, Deputy Secretary, Department of National Planning
1:40 ‐ 2:00 Facilitating the Development of the land collateral market through financial sector development Dr Gai Kauzi, Central Bank of Papua New Guinea 2:20 ‐ 2:30 Panel Discussion and Recommendations Joe Kapa and Dr. Gai Kauzi 2:30 ‐ 2:40 Session 3: AFTERNOON TEA BREAK
CHAIRPERSON: Mark Pupaka, Deputy Chief Magistrate, Land, Magisterial xii Subtheme 2:40 ‐ 3:00 Services Land Reform Policy Implementation and Lessons National Land Development Program: Implementation and lessons for improvement Esekia Warvi, Interim Manager, National Land Development Program
3:00 ‐ 3:20 New Customary Land Tenure Reform Laws and their impact on the value of customary land Flora Kwapena, Valuer General, Department of Lands and Physical Planning
3:20 ‐ 3:40 An Integrated Land Development Model for customary land using the new customary land tenure reform laws Matthew Shaw and Greg Cooper, Dom KRB Consultants
3:40 ‐ 4:00 Panel Discussion and Recommendations Esekia Warvi, Flora Kwapena, Matthew Shaw and Greg Cooper 4:00 ‐ 5:00 WELCOME COCKTAIL PARTY TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER 2012 Session 4: Subtheme 8:30 ‐ 8:50 CHAIRPERSON: Dr. Lawrence, Kalinoe, Secretary, Department of Justice and Attorney‐General Tenure Security for the Mining, Oil and Gas Sector Tenure security for the Mining, Oil and Gas Sector Dr. Ila Temu, xiii President, Papua New Guinea Chamber of Mines and Petroleum 8:50 ‐ 9:10 Accessing Customary Land for Mining: The Yandera story Richard Baia, Lands and Community affairs Coordinator, Marengo Mining
9:10‐9:30 Overcoming land ownership issue is the beginning of us making our land work David Gonol, Assistant Registrar, National Court 9:30 ‐ 9:40 Panel Discussion and Recommendations Dr. Ila Temu, Richard Baia and David Gonol Session 5: Subtheme: 9:40 ‐10:00 CHAIRPERSON: Graham Ainui, Executive Officer, Rural Industries Council Tenure Security for Agriculture Sector Development Land Tenure Security in PNG: A perspective from small scale agro business development Dr. Yunxian Wang, Senior Research Fellow, NRI
10:00 ‐10:20 The use of culturally determined management mechanisms to mobilise customary land for agricultural development Peter Navus and Alan Quartermain, PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment 10:20 ‐11:40 Tenure security for the Cocoa Sector: Lessons from Post‐Conflict Bougainville Lindsay Kutan and Professor Satish Chand, University of New South Wales 10:40 – 11:00 Panel Discussion and Recommendations xiv Dr. Yunxian Wang, Peter Navus, Lindsay Kutan and Professor Satish Chand
11:00 – 11:10 Session 6: Subtheme: 11:10 ‐ 11:30 MORNING TEA CHAIRPERSON: Mike Quinn, President, PNG Real Estate Association Land Tenure Security for Urban Development Improved Urban Development Planning: A prerequisite for making land work Vincent Pyati, Research Fellow, NRI
11:30 ‐ 11:50 The role of sub‐national Governments in spurring private sector development using the land sector Henry Sande, PhD Student, University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Academy
11:50 ‐ 12:10 Urban Development Planning, Regulation and Development: Lessons from Port Moresby Kenneth Atosoa, Deputy City Manager, Regulatory Services, NCDC
12:10 ‐ 12:20 Panel Discussion and Recommendations Vincent Pyati, Henry Sande and Kenneth Atosoa 12:20 ‐ 1:20 Session 7: Subtheme 1:20 – 1:40 LUNCH
CHAIRPERSON: Professor Satish Chand, University of New South Wales (shifted to 8) Land Tenure Security for Rural Development Customary land tenure reforms and their implications for the Forestry sector Nalau Bingeding, xv Research Fellow, NRI
1:40 ‐ 2:00 Land Use in rural communities: Lessons from four communities from the Eastern Highlands May Susan, Jenny Bekio, George Curry, Gina Koczberski, and Tom Kukhang Coffee Industries Corporation (Research and Grower Services) and Curtin University, Department of Rural Sociology 2:00 ‐ 2:20 Utilisation of State Land and its Management for Agricultural Production Wilson Thompson, Secretary, Highlands Farmers & Settlers Association 2:20 ‐ 2:30 2:30 ‐ 2:40 Session 8: Theme: 2:40 – 3:00 Panel Discussion and Recommendations AFTERNOON TEA BREAK CHAIRPERSON: Professor Dilip Pal, PNG UNITECH Land Tenure Security for the land and housing market Bank’s assessment of developments and land sub‐divisions Donald Hallam, Head of Commercial and Corporate Banking, Westpac Bank (PNG) Limited 3:00 – 3:20 Institutional Structure for driving a viable land properties market Dr. Billy Manoka, Chief Executive Officer, Independent Consumer and Competition Commission 3:20 – 3:40 Developing the Housing Sector through the Greenfield Development Concept Emmanuel Mungu, Bill Ain and Logea Nao, Housing Secretariat Working Group, NRI xvi 3:40 – 4:00 Panel Discussion and Recommendations Donald Hallam, Emmanuel Mungu, Bill Ain and Logea Nao WEDNESDAY 31 OCTOBER 2012 Session 9: Subtheme 8:30 ‐ 8:50 CHAIRPERSON: Professor Dilip Pal, Head of Surveying and Land Studies Department, PNG UNITECH The Land Research Framework An overview of the National Research Institute Research Program, Projects and Activities Dr. Thomas Webster Director, National Research Institute 8:50 ‐ 9:10 An overview of the National Land Research Framework Dr. Charles Yala Associate Professorial Research Fellow, National Research Institute 9:10 ‐ 9:30 Challenges of undertaking research in difficult environments: Lessons from the fragile states project and the NRI collaborative partnership Professor Satish Chand School of Business, University of New South Wales 9:30 ‐ 9:40 Session 10: Subtheme: 9:40 ‐ 10:10 10:10 ‐ 10:20 Panel Discussion and Recommendations CHAIRPERSON: Dr. Charles Yala, Associate Professorial Research Fellow, NRI Exploring Research Themes
Group discussions under thematic areas: Strategic, enabling, and policy evaluation MORNING TEA
xvii 10:20 ‐ 12:00 12:00 ‐ 1:00 1:00 ‐ 2:00 2:00 – 2:10 2:10 – 3:10 Organising research themes, research projects and activities for the period 2013‐2015 LUNCH Group discussions for exploring research pathways AFTERNOON TEA
Establishing research pathways for the conduct of research for the period 2013‐2015 ~ END OF PROGRAM ~ xviii 1 The National Research Institute National Land Development Conference Papua New Guinea THEME ‘How to Make Our Land Work’ 29 – 31 October 2012 Including Subthemes and Abstracts 2 THEME ‘How to Make Our Land Work’ SUBTHEMES Subtheme 1:
The Institutional Basis for Making Land
Work;
Subtheme 2:
Enhancing the Role of Land in the Pursuit for
Economic Growth and Development in Papua
New Guinea;
Subtheme 3:
Land Reform Policy Implementation and
Lessons;
Subtheme 4:
Tenure Security for the Mining, Oil and Gas
Sector
Subtheme 5:
Tenure Security for the Agriculture Sector
Development;
Subtheme 6:
Land
Tenure
Development;
Subtheme 7:
Land Tenure Security for Rural Development
Subtheme 8:
Land Tenure Security for the land and
housing market;
Subtheme 9:
The Land Research Framework; and
Security
Subtheme 10: Exploring Research Themes.
for
Urban
3 SOME ABSTRACTS Unpacking the Conceptual Framework underpinning the
Papua New Guinea Land Reform aimed at
Making Land Work
Dr. Charles Yala
The National Research Institute
Abstract
Land reform remains an important and yet sensitive
microeconomic reform agenda for many developing countries,
including Papua New Guinea (PNG). It is particularly difficult
for PNG because customary land tenure predominates and
supports the livelihood of 85 percent of the population largely
resident within the rural sector. At the same time, the demands
of the modern economy are imposing irreversible changes to
the way land is managed and used. This paper discusses the
conceptual framework underpinning the Papua New Guinea
land tenure reform initiative aimed at maximising the
economic benefits of land reform.
How can we use our land to address climate change?
Nalau Bingeding
National Research Institute
Abstract
4 This paper discusses potentials provided through the current
land reform that can be used to address climate change issues
in PNG. Climate change refugees and other internally
displaced peoples is already an issue in PNG, but since 97%
of the land is customarily owned the resettlement of internally
displaced peoples has been an impossible task over the years.
However, through the land reform the new pieces of
legislations on customary land provide an avenue that could
be used to acquire customary to resettle internally displaced
peoples, and this paper proposes that lessons learned from
resettlement of people other provinces in the Hoskins Oil
Palm blocks in the 1960s and 1970s can be used to explore
better ways to resettle internally displaced peoples on
customary lands around the country. Much of the 6.7 million
hectares of degraded grasslands in PNG has been of little
economic value to customary landowners for the last 37 years,
but through the current land reform there is now more
incentive for some of these degraded grasslands to be
converted to forest plantations for carbon trade and timber
production. Thus customary lands under degraded grasslands
can now be used in a bigger way through the current land
reform to mitigate climate change and alleviate poverty. PNG
is a forested nation with 33 million hectares forest cover, but
much of these forested lands have been of little economic
significance to customary land owners due to their
remoteness, rugged terrains and their lack of suitability for
agriculture activities. But through opportunities provided by
the current land reform and carbon trade, some 4.2 – 6.7
million hectares and 2.0 million hectares of these forested
lands can be used for biodiversity conservation under PES and
REDD, respectively. The use of forested land for biodiversity
conservation and REDD through the current land reform
therefore allows for large areas of customary land to be used
for economic activities, thus mitigating climate change and
alleviating poverty. In all, climate change issues and the
5 current land reform have the potential to unlock millions of
hectares of customary land for social, economic and
environmental development in PNG.
Lessons from the Korean Land Reform Experience for
Papua New Guinea
Mincheol Lee and Younghyun Kim
Technology Development Department, Spatial Information Research
Institute, Korea Cadastral Survey Corporation and Overseas
Projects Department, Korea
Abstract
This paper will deal with how much correlation exists
between the development level of land administration and
national economic growth in South Korea. Moreover, it will
prove that well-established foundation helps not only
government but also individuals who will reap beneficial
advantages. It will be examined by comparing the degree of
land administration advancement and economic index as
Gross Development Product per capital between developed
countries and less developed countries. In addition, the paper
will address the Korean case on how Korea’s land
administration was developed and how it contributed to its
economic prosperity after having gone through colonization
and the Korea War. Important index to be necessarily
analysed will be GDP per capita and land value rise
accompanied by conducting factor analysis. Lastly, the paper
will introduce prospective model of Korean land
administration which aims at ubiquitous-environment based
smart LA, NSDI policy, realization of multi-purpose and 3D
cadastre for finally reaching a citizen-oriented land
administration.
6 How can we make our land work? The Valuation
Profession Perspective
Flora Kwapena
Department of Lands and Physical Planning
Abstract
This paper from a valuation profession perspective gives an
insight into the interests that can be formed as a result of
Voluntary Customary Land Registration. It is not technical in
nature but is rather an informative paper from the perspective
of the profession of valuation with reference to the
International Valuation Standards and Generally Accepted
Valuation Principles.
An Integrated Land Development Model for customary
land using the new customary land tenure reform laws
Matthew Shaw and Greg Cooper
Dome KRB Consultants
Abstract
The use of land for any development purpose must achieve
three things: sustainability, potential economic prosperity,
consensus on land use by landowners. This paper puts forth an
integrated land development model on our recent empirical
experiences that responds to the question of “How can we
make our land work?” in the PNG context, while resonating
the three aforementioned factors. Our analysis included
assessing the Papua New Guinean Government’s development
framework. Many of the policies and goals outlined in the
Vision 2050, Development Strategic Plan 2010 – 2030, and
the Medium Term Development Plan 2011 – 2015, were very
7 useful as a guide in creating the development concepts for
LeaLea village in Central province. The mutual appreciation
for the importance of land was clear, and this set the backdrop
for our integrated model. Previous experience across the globe
identified a myriad of issues with the implementation of
physical and social infrastructure on customary land. We
understand that Western influences into indigenous cultures is
not always welcomed or embraced, quite often leading to
failure. However, encouraging participation amongst
landowners and demonstrating cultural sensitivity and
awareness leads to positive outcomes in the majority of cases.
Accessing customary land for Mining – The Yandera
Story
Richard Baia
Marengo Mining
Abstract
This paper presents discussion on the steps taken in accessing
customary land for exploration and for the preparation of a
proposal for development of a mining project – The Yandera
Copper-Molybdenum-Gold Project in the Usino-Bundi district
of Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. With the increase in
exploration activities in the mining, oil and gas industries and
the desire to make our Land work, there is a need now to map
out the path to take in dealing with Customary Land. There
exist opportunities now to learn from experiences, to explore
various options and possibilities and adapt best practice
approach and techniques to develop a framework model for
making our land work. Having access to customary land is
very important for development. As it is common in mining
8 project areas in Papua New Guinea, the majority of the land
within the mining tenements are customary owned, therefore
Land ownership study for mining projects covers mostly rural
land owned by traditional communities which have not been
the subject of a Landownership Investigation.
Overcoming landownership Issues is the beginning of
us making our land work
David Gonol
National Court, Waigani
Abstract
Land ownership issue is a very sensitive issue in Papua New
Guinea. We read, hear and watch from all forms of news
outlets on daily basis about news concerning landownership
issues. A big chunk of landownership issues consist of land
disputes and unnecessary compensation claims of all forms
stem from the sense of landownership. Again land disputes
and compensation claims arise due to the land tenure system
we have in our country. That is 97% of the land mass in PNG
is under customary ownership whereas only 3% is under the
ownership of the State.
Since 97% of PNG’s landmass is under customary ownership,
the customary land owners always rise up to assert their rights
by claiming compensation from the Sate and even the
developers. When their demands are not properly met, they
threaten to sabotage development. In fear of such threats, the
State and the developers give in unnecessarily and meet their
demands. So landownership issues are a single most important
threat to the development in Papua New Guinea. Because vast
majority of the landmass in the country is under customary
9 ownership, it is very hard to develop land in PNG. Therefore,
we can make our land work if only we are able to overcome
landownership issues first. In other words we are saying that
overcoming landownership issues is the beginning of us
making our land work.
Well, how do we overcome landownership issues then? That
is the very question this paper is aiming to address. In doing
so, firstly this paper discusses general land tenure system in
this country. Secondly this paper discusses developments on
customary land and benefit sharing arrangements. The third
discussion is on landownership issues as the single most
important threat to investments and even developments in the
country. The final discussion is on finding lasting solutions to
landownership issues.
Land Tenure Security in PNG: A perspective from
small scale agro business development
Yunxian Wang
The National Research Institute
Abstract
This paper will attempt to understand the constraints and
address local economic development in Papua New
Guinea by dwelling on a research ‘Women’s Market
Participation and Business Advancement’ that was
carried out. One of the objectives is to identify the ruralurban linkage between small production and urban
consumption and to what extent the small holders and
informal traders can expand their informal trading to
more established business. Therefore, this case analysis
attempts to demonstrate the rural-urban linkage existing
10 in the present micro and informal business of fresh
produce, and prospect of small scale agro-business
development in relation with land tenure security. The
information, unless specified, is from a survey of 244
informal traders conducted in 6 markets in National
Capital District of PNG during March – June 2012.
The use of culturally determined management
mechanisms to mobilise customary land for
agricultural development
Peter Navus and Alan Quartermain
Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and
Environment
Abstract
The strength of Papua New Guinea agriculture lies with
the 700,000 smallholder farmers, gardeners or livestock
owners and their families who essentially feed the
nation. It is not true to say that agriculture has failed or is
failing. This paper will discuss two major fallacies with
respect to the role of agriculture in national
development. One is that there is an abundance of
unused or underutilized land waiting to be mobilized and
the second fallacy is the development that requires
capital input. Through a case study this paper will point
out that that smallholder farmers can cooperate and gain
the related advantages without externally determined
rules or formal cooperatives but using local traditional
cultural mechanisms.
11 Tenure security for the Cocoa Sector: Lessons from PostConflict Bougainville
Lindsay Kutan and Satish Chand
University of New South Wales
Abstract
The security of tenure for land used to grow tree crops is
critical to investment. This paper documents the transition
taking place in Bougainville for land held under customary
title so as to provide the requisite security for expansion of
cocoa production. Our analysis shows that: (i) tensions have
arisen as a result of the demands placed by a cash-tree crop in
a community that has traditionally grown annual food crops
on land held under customary title; (ii) informal practices are
emerging so as to allow expansion of cocoa production; and
(iii) significant room remains in reforming land tenure
systems so as to encourage cocoa production in the
autonomous region as a whole.
Improved Urban Development Planning: Prerequisite for
making land work
Vincent Pyati
National Research Institute
Abstract
Land and land resources constitute the most important
resource in Papua New Guinea. Unfortunately, land is limited
and finite in quantity while the population and its activities are
ever increasing. The paper will discuss the demands for
agriculture, livestock, forestry, oil and gas projects, fisheries,
conservation, urban development, infrastructure development,
12 human settlements, tourism and others are greater than the
land resources available. It is therefore imperative that land is
used in the most sustainable and rational manner to ensure
optimum productivity and safeguard the opportunities for
future generations. The best way to achieve sustainable and
optimum land utilization is through land use planning.
Utilisation of State Land and its Management for
Agricultural Production
Wilson Thompson,
Highlands Farmers & Settlers Association Inc.
Abstract
Agriculture sustains the majority of the population and is the
catalyst for any other business or economic ventures in the
country. Since 2005 there has been interest in management of
land and associated issues which emanated from the Land
Summit and the establishment of the National Land
Development Taskforce and its Advisory Committee to
implement its recommendations and associated work that has
been done to date. This paper will discuss that land available
through State Lease, SPABL or the Land Lease-Lease Back
process or customary land process will contribute to increased
food and agricultural production and also economic
development and prosperity.
The role of sub-national Governments in spurring private
sector development using the land sector
Henry Sande
13 University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force
Academy
Abstract
PNG is pursuing sustained, broad-based economic
development through land reforms within the framework of its
National Land Development Program. Well-defined and
secure property rights are essential for national development
through land-based enterprise growth. This article argues
however, that the implementation of land reforms alone under
the Program cannot achieve the aspired development. Other
regulatory reforms are necessary, particularly for facilitating
private enterprise growth. Using secondary Doing Business
data of the World Bank for PNG, this study examines the
country’s regulatory practices for Starting a Business and
Registering Property and the role of sub-national authorities
in growing the economy through private enterprise. The study
finds that despite high-level government commitments to
improve the overall business climate, the country still suffers
from a high-cost business environment, as is evident from
long-standing obstacles to registering a business and to
accessing land. Local-level governments play a vital role in
the establishment and operation of land-based enterprises but
are hampered by inconsistent, opaque and archaic regulations.
Lessons on the regulatory experiences of local governments
and investors in Fiji are drawn to help strengthen the capacity
of local-level governments in PNG. The policy implications
emanating from the study call for stakeholder collaboration on
the review of business regulations affecting the formal and
informal sectors in both the urban and rural areas; the
streamlining of local- and national-level business regulations;
support for local-level governments to provide one-stop
business information services; and, the engagement of
stakeholders including local-level governments for
14 representative public-private policy dialogue, the outcomes of
which would be useful for land policy formulation under the
National Land Development Program. The study also
provides a breakthrough for the coverage of Pacific small
island states in research on the World Bank Doing Business
project.
Land Use in rural communities: lessons from four
communities from the Eastern Highlands
Susan May, Jenny Bekio, George Curry+, Gina
Koczberski+ and Tom Kukhang
Research and Grower Services, PNG Coffee Industry Corporation,
+Curtin University, Department of Rural Sociology, Australia.
Abstract
Four rural communities in the Eastern highland Province
of Papua New Guinea were studied for there land use
practices. The livelihood study revealed the dynamics of
the socioeconomic changes these communities are going
through, with the influence of cash economy and
sedentary livelihood. This paper wills discuss the different
land use in these four different communities.
Developing the Housing Sector through the
Greenfield Development Concept
Emmanuel Mungu, Bill Ain and Logea Nao
The National Research Institute
Abstract
15 Papua New Guinea is rich in land and many other related
natural resources. Ninety seven percent of land in Papua New
Guinea is under customary ownership while the remaining
three percent falls under state and freehold ownership.
However, most of these lands remain idle unless it is brought
onto the market. Under the GoPNG land reform program
(National Land Development Program), these land can be
brought onto the market to create wealth, income earning
opportunities and employment for customary landowners and
other participants in the PNG economy. This paper draws on
the experience of the housing industry in relation to land and
offers lessons on how best land can be used for housing.
Housing has been a concern confronting all sectors of the
Papua New Guinea (PNG) economy since independence in
1975. Successive governments had strived to address housing
issues through various reforms and development strategies
only to see less progress or generally, failed programs in the
end. This paper will discuss relevant aspects of housing
problems and development in context of appropriate existing
domestic and international policies in tune with the theme of
the Conference,” how can we make our land work”. The
historical aspects of housing in PNG prior to political
independence will also be highlighted.
16 Additional Information This conference is an integral part of the National Land
Development Program (NLDP) implementation plan. The
NLDP continues to implement the Government of Papua New
Guinea’s nationwide land reform initiative.
The National Research Institute is supporting the
implementation of the NLDP through its Land Development
Research Program, which undertakes research to inform
stakeholders and the Government by providing evidencebased research on land issues and discerning a way forward.
The Institute also houses the NLDP’s National Land
Development Advisory Group, which provides independent
advice on land issues to the Government of PNG. This Group
reports on issues of strategic significance on land reform to
the Ministerial Committee, working through the Land
Development Program Management Committee.
This conference enables stakeholders to explore and showcase
opportunities that can enhance the success of different
components being implemented under the National Land
Development Program.