ALM UNDP

Summary:

The ARDSF is a five year, $35 million (K88m) facility. It is an innovative and flexible funding mechanism aimed at strengthening the capacity of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) to deliver improved services to their rural stakeholders. Improved delivery of services will increase opportunities for smallholders in Papua New Guinea to generate income and maintain food security.

The ARDSF is in line with the Government of PNG’s Medium Term Development Strategy which identifies promotion of agriculture as a driver for broad-based economic growth and recognises its importance in improving income earning opportunities for the rural population.

AusAID is providing funds (2006 to 2011) to the Government of PNG through the Agricultural Research and Development Support Facility (ARDSF). ARDSF is strengthening the capacity of PNG’s primary agricultural research and commodity institutions to deliver improved services to their rural stakeholders as well as provide additional resources through a competitive grant scheme to support the testing and promotion of innovations that will have a positive impact on the livelihood of smallholder farmers. Improved services will increase opportunities for small-holder farmers to improve productivity and market competitiveness and strengthen farmer incomes and food security.

The Agricultural Research and Development Support Facility is being implemented through three integrated components, including budget support for the National Agricultural Research Institute, capacity strengthening support to the National Agricultural Research System institutes; and a competitive innovation grants scheme open to a range of relevant stakeholders.

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