Australian Education Powers Regional Development with Agriculture Training for PNG

Education Partnership Supports Sustainable Farming and Regional Growth in Papua New Guinea

In a significant step towards enhancing regional food security and agricultural resilience, Charles Sturt University has delivered a revised National Agriculture Training Package to Papua New Guinea (PNG). Developed in close collaboration with the PNG Government and key industry stakeholders, the initiative was funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It commenced in November 2024 and was formally handed over in June 2025.

The package comprises Certificates I to IV in Agriculture, offering practical, competency-based training aligned with the PNG National Qualifications Framework. Designed to meet real-world agricultural needs, it aims to strengthen local farming capabilities, support agribusiness development, and foster regional partnerships through high-quality education. According to officials, the programme will contribute to building a skilled and resilient agricultural workforce, thereby supporting job creation and addressing national food security priorities. Experts and government leaders have commended the initiative as a timely investment in sustainable growth and innovation.

Dr Wendy De Luca of Charles Sturt University emphasised that the training package is intended to equip PNG’s agricultural workforce with essential practical skills, noting that over 85% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. She further highlighted that bolstering PNG’s agriculture sector would also benefit Australia by mitigating biosecurity risks, enhancing regional trade, and supporting sustainable livelihoods, particularly in northern regions.

The revised package was shaped through extensive consultation with PNG partners, including DHERST and leading agricultural agencies, to ensure its relevance to local contexts. Dr Jeff McCormick, who co-led the in-country consultations, underscored the role of Australian education in advancing regional agricultural development. He noted that such partnerships exemplify how education can promote shared prosperity, mitigate cross-border risks, and support long-term development goals. This initiative marks a strategic investment in regional stability, skills development, and sustainable agriculture.

Editor’s Note:

The delivery of a revised National Agriculture Training Package to Papua New Guinea by Charles Sturt University is more than a technical achievement; it is a timely and strategic intervention. In a region where agriculture underpins livelihoods and national stability, the provision of practical, competency-based training reflects a commendable alignment of educational expertise with development priorities. What stands out is the programme’s responsiveness to local needs, shaped through genuine consultation and grounded in the realities of PNG’s agricultural sector. The inclusion of Certificates I to IV, tailored to the PNG National Qualifications Framework, signals a commitment to long-term capacity building rather than short-term fixes.

Skoobuzz asserts that the initiative demonstrates how Australian universities can and should play a more active role in regional development. By investing in skills, supporting agribusiness, and addressing shared biosecurity risks, this project sets a precedent for education-led diplomacy and sustainable growth.