Monitoring and Evaluation of Agribusiness Entrepreneurship in Papua New Guinea: A Case Study of Tree farming in the Markham Valley, Morobe Province

The research reported here was carried out to evaluate the impact of a tree farming project between PNG Biomass and the customary landowners of the Markham Valley in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. The research employed a mixed research design that includes both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. The primary data were processed using MS Excel, MS Word, Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Nvivo Qualitative Data Analysis software. The research examined the farm management processes, land dealings and farm impacts. The study found that appropriate legal procedures were not followed by PNG Biomass for both the land dealing process and farm management practices. The evaluation of land dealings shows that land acquisition, land use agreement, compensation and legality processes need attention due to a lack of legal interpretation and representation in the land dealing process. Further analysis of farm input use indicates that the use of agro-chemicals and approaches to land conservation are a priority and need attention for sustainable tree farming practices and management. On the basis of our findings we recommend the use of a holistic approach towards project development with legal compliance to the relevant laws and regulation to safeguard the business operation.