Develop Galip nut industry

 By JAMES LARAKI

THERE are more than 40 indige­nous plant species with an edible kernel in Papua New Guinea, with about 10 of these being important in village agriculture. 

Some of these are seen as having potential for commercial development. Canarium nut (galip nut as is commonly known) is one of them. 

Many studies indicated that Canarium nut have the potential for commercial development as it could be easily accepted by people from outside the area where it is traditionally grown.

Canarium nut is native to the humid lowlands of eastern Indo­nesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and PNG. Canarium nut has been cultivated in Melanesia for thousands of years and is extremely important tree in traditional, customary life. 

It has some cultural significant in many areas such as Madang, Bougainville and New Britains where it is mostly grown. It is also a favoured food source.

The National Agricultural Research Institute started work on this important nut in 2007 through the “Galip domestication and commercialisation project” supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). 

This was undertaken as earlier work indicated that research and development on this indigenous nut could address food security and generate cash income for rural communities in the lowlands where it is grown.

NARI has been conducting studies in Canarium nut as it is of high quality with a unique taste and has the potential to become a world commodity.  It is a tasty, highly nutritious nut, containing proteins, vitamins, healthy oils and anti-oxidants. 

The nut is popular among outsiders, including expatriates, and the prospects for its commercial development are considered excellent. 

NARI is now planning to expand its work on this nut through an expansion of the Canarium project to fully develop the industry in PNG. The project “Domestication, commercialisation, and development of Canarium nut industry in PNG” is one of the three projects that NARI agreed to deliver under the performance agreement signed with the national government early this year.

The project to be implemented from 2013-16 will aim to ensure galip nut production, processing, marketing and trading are developed through the establishment of appropriate technologies, prac­tices, partnerships, arrangements, strategies and policies.

The expected outcome from this project when fully implemented is to have a vibrant and sustainable galip nut industry in PNG trading in domestic and export market. The project hopes to achieve this by ensuring the following are accomplished:

l Galip nut growing communities use improved galip nut production systems and management practices;

l High quality and variety of galip products are consumed, traded in  domestic and international markets;

l Galip nut standards through CODEX  system developed and applied/used in international trade;

l Effective partnership in galip industry  between all levels of stakeholders (growers, processors, traders, service provi­ders, regulators, policy makers, and others) is established and performing; 

l Conducive policies formu­lated and such policies and protocols on galip nut industry development and trade is available and implemented at various levels; and

l Galip nut trade in the domestic and exports markets developed and sustained.

During 2011-12, the Cana­rium project has distributed more than 26,000 superior galip seedlings and developed improved propagation methods. Studies were also conducted to see whether the galip tree could be used as shade tree for cocoa. The galip nut in pulp and nut in shell (NIS) grading systems and steps to dry NIS were also developed. 

This year, the galip nut project will aim to distribute 40,000 superior seedlings. It will also verify and confirm ways to dry galip nut. It is also expected that appropriate ways to store galip NIS will be developed, verified and confirmed.

For us to develop the galip nut industry and to achieve the expected outcomes, it is essential to adopt and grow the superior galip varieties distributed. 

Efforts also being made to increase capacity to mass produce planting materials. It is also ne­cessary that stakeholders are well informed of the galip industry developments and ensure they fully participate throughout the process.

While the project looks pro­mising, any useful output, we assume can be delivered from a collaborative effort of all partners. To stimulate development of the galip industry, appropriate policies need to be formulated and implemented by the government and stakeholders. 

We also hope that sustained funding is made available to sup­port galip research and deve­lopment efforts. Effective stake­holder participation is also essential. We need to establish effective partnership and collaboration with all key players including international agencies. 

Growers must understand consumer demand for galip and its nut byproducts and participate and take ownership in growing galip nut. 

All stakeholders and industry partners should also appreciate the need for their involvement and participation. 

It is important for the government to appreciate such develop­ments and support me­chanisms of implementation through formulating appropriate policies and protocols. 

We hope that stakeholders actively participate in the project to develop the Canarium nut industry in PNG.