AG DEV IV

closed

The Popondetta Smallholder Oil Palm Project will establish about 1,400 smallholders on about 5,600 ha for oil palm cultivation and provide them with long-term credit, extension services, social and economic infrastructure, including feeder roads, housing, and health, education and welfare facilities. The project will also establish a Government-owned transport company to serve the smallholders. Not included in the project but crucial to its success, is the concurrent establishment of a nucleus estate and factory to process both smallholders and estate production. The nucleus estate/factory complex is being financed by the Government and the Commonwealth Development Corporation. The project also includes a technical assistance component which provides funds for the employment of key expatriate personnel (24 man-years in all) for the smallholder project and for a consultant (2 man-years) to establish training programs for DASF and PNGDB staff in smallholder credit operations.