Sago+ Project Inception Workshop and Inaugural Advisory Group Meeting successfully conducted in Port Moresby 

The Sago+ Project Inception Workshop was successfully held on 13 May 2026 (Wednesday) at the PNG National Research Institute (NRI) Conference Centre in Port Moresby. The Inaugural Project Advisory Group Meeting followed the next day, 14 May (Thursday).

The workshop brought together 30 participants in person, including members of the Sago+ project team and representatives from different PNG Government institutions such as the National Youth Development Authority, the Western Provincial Administration, and the University of PNG. Representatives from local partners, PNG NRI and PNG University of Technology (UoT), as well as the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) PNG Country Office were also present.

The workshop commenced with the arrival and registration of participants overseen by Lucy Avei. This was followed by an introduction to the Sago+ Research Project delivered by Dr Elizabeth Kopel, Country Coordinator at PNG NRI. Opening remarks were then presented by Dr Osborne Sanida, PNG NRI Country Director. Dr Ann Hill, Project Lead from the University of Canberra, presented a project overview. Dr Elizabeth Kopel facilitated a discussion session focusing on opportunities for collaboration and capacity building. Reflections from the ACIAR representative were shared by Ms Rachelle Morehari. 

During the open forum, many participants expressed strong interest in the project's co-design approach, particularly its emphasis on respecting local knowledge for community-led food planning aimed at improving food security outcomes. 

Mr Wawewa Saebi, South Fly District Administrator, remarked that “Sago is the livelihood of the Western Province. It is part of the everyday life of 80% of its people. Engaging with them is important.” 

The discussions were highly enriching, especially with stakeholders from Western Province sharing valuable insights on the region’s geographic diversity and the way it influences place-based sago cultivation practices and broader food security systems. 

Professor Betty Lovai of the University of Papua New Guinea commended Sago+'s co-design approach and emphasised that “geography matters as sago cultivation varies across the Western Province and therefore community consultation is important for planning food security.” 

The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Professor Gary Sali of PNG UoT, and ended with a lunch and networking session attended by all participants. 

The Sago+ project team is fortunate to already have established strong partnerships on the ground, and extends its sincere thanks to Anna Waiga of PNG NRI and Starza Paul of PNG UoT for facilitating important connections in our potential field sites. The project team is also pleased to have secured the full support of the Western Provincial Administration just days before the inception workshop.

The next day, the first Advisory Group Meeting took place and involved a smaller group.  Members of the Advisory Group enthusiastically participated in the discussion and provided valuable insights and guidance from a PNG perspective to inform the Sago+ project’s next steps. 

Professor Tom Okpul of PNG UoT, who is currently studying wild rice in Western Province, suggested to link Sago+ with Department of Primary Industries (DPI) officers in the field sites. 

Professor Betty Lovai also highlighted that ‘water is important for sago processing so the quality of water for food security systems should be considered.” 

The Advisory Group was established to guide the Sago+ project team and help them ensure that local protocols and processes are carefully considered and properly followed. The Group is composed of members from PNG institutions who may also become potential users of the methods that the Sago+ project will develop and test.                       

- Emma Anere with edits from Pryor Placino and Ann Hill