Model Village

1. UNITECH – The Model Village
Research and Innovation Partnership
PACE-NET Plus Innovation Workshop
UNITECH, 30-31st
May 2016
AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
William Kerua
The Papua New Guinea
UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

2. Background
UNITECH in Brief
 Established in 1965 in Pom, transferred to Lae in 1968 and
in 1973 got its University status (only technological University in
PNG and SP )
 13 teaching departments (Engineering, Applied & Biological
Sciences, and Social Sciences)
 Enrolment: 3,000 Undergraduate; 300+ Post Graduate
 UNITECH 2030 strategic development plan (6 Pillars)
 UNITECH emphases in innovation and agriculture
as 85% of PNGn’s depend on agriculture
as their primary source of income and
means of livelihood.

3. Agriculture Department in Brief
 Establishment in 1971 at UPNG, transferred to
Unitech 1985
 Programs : BSAG, BARD, Post Graduate (PGD, MSc,
MPhil, PhD), 270 students
18 Academic staff (various agricultural fields)
 Plays major role in Teaching & Learning, Research,
Outreach activities, and linkage with industries, local
GOs., NGOs and farmer groups.

4. The University (Agriculture Department)
in RD&E
UNIQUENESS: students involvement, teaching & learning, research,
extension = sustainable and cost effective as all are in one package

5.  Establishment in 2003/4
 Aims at holistic improvements to the
farming systems practiced through;
1. Capacity Building
2. Research
3. Training
4. Extension & Technology Transfer
Pluralistic extension system with
“Educational Institute Approach”
SPISARD as a vehicle to reach farmers
(South Pacific Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development)
Pluralistic concepts of
extension involving a variety of
service providers

6. Pluralistic Approach for Rural Development:
Collaboration & Partnership
Pluralistic concepts of
extension involving a variety of
service providers

7. How do we reach the communities?
• Through establishment of
“Model villages”.

8. SPISARD
Model Villages
To date since 2004: 75 trainings conducted in 21 different
areas/topics in 8 provinces with total of 2832 participants of
both sex.

9. Activities in Model Villages [Inputs]
Village Training & Resource Centre
(Hafaru Village)
Village women showing their
certificate of participating in
Adult Literacy Training
1. Capacity Building
 development of model villages, training/resource
centres,
 farmer training, procurement of resources and
management.

10. 2. Research and students activities
Conducting interviewsConducting workshop
Disseminating
information in schools
(Technical & Primary
schools)
Activities in Model Villages cont’d: [Inputs]
 Development of appropriate & sustainable agricultural
technology, innovation & extension methods

11. Rice production Inland fish farming
Activities in Model Villages [Inputs]
3. Training
 Development of human resources
for technology transfer

12. Cassava bread-making
Peanut butter-making
Floral and drapery arrangements
training
Trainings Cont’d …

13. Sewing skills
HIV / AIDS Awareness
Soap-making
Trainings Cont’d …

14. Distributing rice
seeds
Distributing African
yam seeds
Distributing
information booklets
Activities in Model Villages [Inputs] Cont’d..
4. Technology Transfer
 Transfer of information & technology to men,
women & youths of farming communities

15. Outputs
 Holistic improvement to the whole farming system
and farmers livelihoods.
1.Increase farm productivity,
2.Increase farm income,
3.Improve food security
4.Promote nutrition and health,
5.Promote entrepreneurship,
6.Improve livelihoods of farming communities, and
7.Enrich the Department’s curriculum
(Through teaching, research,
and extension activities of the
University based on inputs
from farming communities)

16. Women with their sewn outfits
Children with their sewn outfit
Women display their baking products
made from cassava and sweet potato
Home made soap

17. Reasons for attending:
1)Enhance knowledge and skills
2) Experience sewing courses
3) Learn new pattern
4) Earn certificate
Benefits:
1)Pay for niece school fees
2) Supported her family to support
her mum’s funeral
3) Pay for market food when
needed
Challenges:
1)Time allocation
2)Work space
Recently, started marketing of cut flowers.
Success story of Mrs Helen Mirou

18. Challenges
 Funding and logistic support
 Need permanent fulltime Staff
 Strengthen our linkages

19. Way forward
 Strengthen network with collaborators & partners
 Review mandate of SPISARD
 Innovative, proactive and competitive

20. Thank you