• Charles Sturt University has delivered a revised National Agriculture Training Package for Papua New Guinea (PNG), in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea and industry stakeholders 
• The package is designed to support national food security through building local agricultural capability and strengthening regional partnerships through promoting quality education
• It will equip the PNG agricultural workforce with practical, competency-based training aligned to the PNG National Qualifications Framework.
• In the long term, the revised training package will assist with addressing national food security priorities by helping build a more skilled, productive and resilient agriculture sector in PNG.

Charles Sturt University has led the delivery of a revised National Agriculture Training Package for Papua New Guinea to support long-term food stability for the nation.

Funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and working in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea and industry stakeholders, the package is designed to support national food security through building local agricultural capability and strengthening regional partnerships by promoting quality education.

Led by Discipline Lead, Adult and Vocational Education in the Charles Sturt School of Education Dr Wendy De Luca, the National Agriculture Training Package consists of Certificates 1 to 4 in Agriculture.

“The National Agriculture Training Package will equip the PNG agricultural workforce with practical, competency-based training aligned to the PNG National Qualifications Framework,” Dr De Luca said.

The training is designed to build agricultural skills from the ground up. It is based on Competency Based Training and Assessment principles and is designed for real-world agricultural practice and future workforce needs.

It is envisaged that in the long term the revised training package will help address national food security priorities by helping build a more skilled, productive and resilient agriculture sector in PNG.

“PNG is a nation where more than 85 per cent of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods,” Dr De Luca said. “Local food systems are central to national stability.”

Dr De Luca said supporting agricultural capability in PNG had clear flow-on benefits for Australia.

“As a near neighbour, PNG’s food security and economic stability directly impact the region, including northern Australia. A stronger, more productive PNG agriculture sector will help reduce biosecurity risks, foster regional trade, and support sustainable livelihoods,” she said.

The revision of the training package involved extensive collaboration with PNG partners, including the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), National Skills Development Agency, Agriculture Industry Skills Group, and Highlands Agriculture College.

Dr De Luca was supported by Associate Head of the Charles Sturt School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences Dr Jeff McCormick, and both conducted in-country consultations, including validation workshops to ensure the package reflects local agricultural realities and needs.

Dr McCormick said the project highlights the value of Australian education expertise in strengthening regional agricultural resilience.

“Australian universities and training providers have a unique opportunity to contribute to regional food security. This work shows the positive role education partnerships can play in promoting prosperity, managing shared risks, and supporting development priorities.”

The initiative commenced in November 2024, and the training package was delivered by Charles Sturt University to the Papua New Guinea Government in June 2025.

ENDS