The Madang Provincial Government (MPG) under the leadership of the Governor, Hon. Ramsey Pariwa, on Friday, July 3, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PNG National Rice and Grain Board (NRGB) for the development of the rice and grain production in the fertile Ramu Plain in Madang.

Other parties to the MoU included the Manam Resettlement Authority (MaRA) and the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLLGA) who would jointly work with the MPG for the implementation of sustainable rice and grain production.

The instruments for the project MoU were signed by the Provincial Administrator for Madang, Daniel Aloi, and witnessed by Governor Pariwa, while for the other parties saw the Executive Chairman of the PNG Grain and Rice Board, Koren Rokas Maso, Chairman of MaRA, Dr. Boga Figa, and the Secretary of the DPLLGA, Philip Leo, signed their respective organizations.

The project background as initiated by the NRGB is for the development of domestic rice and grain industry in Madang Province, including activities aimed at promoting food security, sustainable agriculture and commercialization of rice and grain production (“Rice Development Program ”).

The Madang Provincial Government and MaRA are responsible for coordinating provincial development initiatives within Madang Province, including agriculture development, rural economic growth, and support farming communities in the Ramu Plain.

The role of DPLLGA is to coordinate the customary land conversion from Customary into State Lease and oversight the implementation is coordinated within agreed framework of MaRA and results are achieved as per MaRA agreement. Moreover, the parties recognize the mutual benefit in establishing a public sector partnership to strengthen rice and grain production, agricultural infrastructure, farmer participation, and investment opportunities within Madang Province.

The parties jointly agree to collaborate in implementing agricultural development initiatives, training, extension services, infrastructure support and related activities in furtherance of the Rice Development Program upon the terms of the MoU.

According to the project documentation, the NRGB would provide technical and advisory services related to rice and grain development activities;

• coordinate national-level support and stakeholder engagement relevant to the joint project;
• assist in project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities; facilitate farmer training program, technical workshops and extension support services;
•  support the distribution and promotion of rice varieties, farming technologies and sustainable agriculture practices;
• facilitate engagement with government agencies, development partners, research institutions and private-sector stakeholders relevant to the Joint Project;
• mobilize resources and funding support where possible for agreed projects and activities.

Furthermore, the project would support the scaling and adoption of successful rice and grain production systems within the Manam Resettlement Authority (MaRA) economic zone within Ramu Plain of Madang Province for large scale production and downstream processing through the setup of the Momase Regional Rice and Grain Industrial Hub as per the MoU.