customary land

APEC Minister Organising Huge New Land Grab

On 23 Jan, 2018 By ACTNOW

The government has yet to cancel all the illegal SABL leases, used to defraud communities of more than 5 million hectares of land but they are already pressing ahead with plans for another land grab; this time with the commercial banks as the beneficiaries.

Population explosion makes protection of customary land vital

On 20 Nov, 2017 By ACTNOW

By Eddie Tanago

Papua New Guinea’s population is growing at an explosive rate, which makes retaining control of customary land vitally important. Customary land is very valuable. It sustains a huge economy and provides employment for 3 million local farmers. Customary land is also vital for food security and it makes people strong and self-reliant.

Pomio locals mobilise to stop logging giant

On 06 Nov, 2017 By ACTNOW

Photo shows an earlier (December 2016) protest by people in Pomata against logging

Malaysian logging giant Rimbunan Hijau (RH) is continuing it's efforts to log in the Pomata SABL area in the Pomio District. Local people say this is despite a court decision ordering all logging operations to stop pending the outcome of a court challenge to the logging permit.

Will Agriculture Summit Focus on the Right Areas?

On 02 Nov, 2017 By ACTNOW

Rural Farmers Need Support - Not Foreign Owned Agri-businesses. Photo: Oxfam

Author: Eddie Tanago

Papua New Guinea's first ever National Agriculture Summit should be focused on helping Papua New Guinea’s 3 million rural farmers and not on assisting large foreign owned industries to grab more customary land.

Storytelling and Food: How Pacific Islands are Revitalizing Pride in their Food Culture

On 16 Aug, 2017 By ACTNOW

Source: AgroEcology Fund

Rucha Chitnis

Jennifer with two Gorarave girls preparing for "Womanhood" ceremony

Village Coffee: a better deal for PNG growers

On 11 Aug, 2017 By ACTNOW

Source: The DEVPOLICYBLOG

Written by Pana Wiya

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Value of customary land highlighted

On 23 May, 2017 By ACTNOW

The value of customary land when left in local hands and the issue of compensation for the SABL land grab have both been highlighted in a seminar organised by ACT NOW!

The seminar featured Sydney University academic Dr Tim Anderson. Dr Anderson presented his report on assessing compensation for the wrongful loss of customary land.

The event was featured by all the TV networks in their evening news programs - their coverage can be viewed below.

Assessing compensation for the wrongful loss of customary land

On 22 May, 2017 By ACTNOW

The SABL land grab has once again raised the issue of compensation for rural communities when outsiders unlawfully occupy or cause damage on their land. How do you assess the losses when there are no market values for customary land in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea's real economy

On 19 May, 2017 By ACTNOW

Corporations fill the media with talk about large-scale industries, resource extraction and export earnings. However, Papua New Guinea’s real, rural based, mainstream economy is far bigger and deserves much greater attention.

Effrey Dademo and Tim Anderson

Custodians, not “Landowners”

On 15 May, 2017 By ACTNOW

Most land in Papua New Guinea is occupied and controlled by clans or communities. They have extensive rights over how the land is used and who has access. These rights are recognized in our Constitution and Land laws. This ‘customary’ land has provided the basis for our very existence for generations. Without our land, we cannot survive.

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