[Anthropgrad] Reminder - Human Geography Seminar tomorrow

[Sandra Davenport]

*Human Geography Seminar
**Wednesday, 16 January, 2008 *
*12.30pm - 1.30pm*
Seminar Room C, Coombs Building

*Dr Lastus Kuniata*
Senior Principal Scientist
Ramu Agri-Industries Limited, PNG

*Ramu Agri-Industries Ltd: more than just a sugar producer in PN*
Commercial sugar production in PNG began in the Ramu Valley in 1982 to 
meet local demand. Annual production is 41,000--47,000 tonnes, with 
10,000 tonnes exported to United States, Vanuatu and Samoa. The PNG 
sugar industry is protected by a 70% tariff, which will be reduced to 
40% in 2011. Ramu Agri-Industries Ltd has adopted a 'crop 
diversification policy' to develop other crops so as to 'cushion' the 
economic impact of the tariff reduction. The crops now being developed 
include oil palm and cashew. It also has a beef operation with 14,000 
cattle and an abattoir producing beef for local consumption. Other crops 
being considered include peanuts, forestry, noni, edible bamboo and 
jatropha (used to produce bio-diesel). Cropping of grasslands in the 
Ramu and Markham valleys also qualify the company to claim carbon 
credits. The main operating model used is a nucleus estate together with 
outgrowers. This way local villagers can meaningfully participate in 
agricultural development by developing their own land.

**Convenor
Kersty Hobson
Department of Human Geography, Research School of Pacific & Asian Studies
Email: kersty.hobson at anu.edu.au
Tel: 612 54344

-- 
Sandra Davenport
Department of Human Geography
Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
The Australian National University
Canberra  ACT  0200  Australia
Tel: +61-2-612-52205;  Fax: +61-2-6257 1893

http://rspas.anu.edu.au/humgeog/

ANU CRICOS Provider Number 00120C

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