New management takes over NARI

 By JAMES LARAKI

THE National Agricultural Re­search Institute (NARI) has started the New Year under a new management. 

This comes with the appointment Dr Sergie Kopen Bang as the new director-general for a three-year term, replacing incumbent, Dr Raghunath Ghodake, whose term expired last December. 

Ghodake, who served the agriculture sector in Papua New Guinea for over 25 years, the past 10 years as chief executive officer of NARI, did not seek reappointment.

Bang previously served as director research and recently as deputy director-general of NARI. 

The NARI Council moved swiftly to appoint Dr Workneh Ayalew as deputy director-general of NARI to re-strengthen the new executive management.  

Ayalew was the team leader of NARI livestock projects.

Bang has been involved with agriculture research and development in PNG for over 20 years. 

He is endowed with an in-depth knowledge of agricultural research for development, his experience at senior and corporate management levels and his understanding of agricultural development issues involved at the national and international levels. 

And Ayalew is empowered with expertise as a biological scientist, especially in animal sciences, systems research, and scientific leadership at national and international levels.

The NARI Council believes the re-strengthening of the executive management, comprising of Bang and Ayalew, has got the combined strength, experience and expertise in effectively leading the institute to heighten its performance in all dimensions. 

Under the new management, the NARI Council hopes to ensure continuity on the progress that NARI has made over the past 16 years. 

The change in management has been planned for some time and has happened at an appropriate time, Ghodake said. 

“Changes happen when an organisation does not the meet its stakeholder needs and expectations. It is not the case for NARI, it is not in crisis. 

“In fact NARI has, since its establishment in 1997, grown to be a premier research organisation in the country and the region. 

“It is now fully matured and a robust organisation of high relevance to development of PNG and the Pacific region.  

“It has grown from strength to strength in terms of its capacities, organisational recognition, clientele’s appreciation/expectations, and stakeholder support,” Ghodake said.

Ghodake, who has been instrumental in establishing, developing, nurturing, and leading the institute over the past 16 years, said the institute was now matured and was better positioned to play its part in the development efforts of PNG. 

“We are uniquely advantaged that the PNG Government, AusAID, European Union, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and a number of national, regional and international organisations have been providing much needed support to the institute.  

“The institute is now best positioned to continue and enhance effectively in delivering on appropriate improved technologies and innovations to the farming and rural communities,” he said.

But the outgoing director-general noted the challenges NARI faces. 

“Like any other organisations, NARI faces its own challenges which need to be addressed to ensure efficiency in and effectiveness of agricultural research in creating development impact at the smallholder farming and rural community levels in PNG.”

While handing over the role and responsibility to the new management, Ghodake urged staff and stakeholders for their continued support and partnership to NARI. 

“I take this opportunity to thank you all most sincerely for your support, cooperation and immense contribution to the growth and sustenance of NARI for the p 16 years. 

“At the same time, I would like to urge you all to accord your greatest support and efforts in further the institute’s development and contributions to make a positive difference not only to livelihoods but to prosperity and wellbeing of Papua New Guineans. 

“NARI is young and vibrant organisation poised to make positive contributions to livelihoods and the prosperity of people of PNG and the Pacific region. 

“That will go a long way in enhancing NARI’s abilities and capacities to deliver on under the new executive management of Sergie Bang and Workneh Ayalew. 

“I am sure both will highly cherish and treasure such support,” Ghodake said.

Thank you Ghodake for your visionary leadership you have provided to the institute and the agriculture sector in PNG. 

We are grateful to you for being our friend, colleague, mentor, and leader. We wish you all the best in whatever you choose to do in the future. 

And our hearty congratulations to Bang and Ayalew on your appointment and all the best in the challenging tasks ahead.