| Bibliography |
Tumae, G.; Curry, G.N. (2025) Technology, ecology, and livelihoods: framing the future of smallholder coffee in PNG, In: PNG Coffee Journal, Vol.16 (1), 1-5, URL: https://pacificlivelihoods.com/special-issue-journal-publications
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| Abstract / Content summary |
Coffee is PNG’s most significant agricultural export and the principal source of income for over 400,000 smallholder households. Yet despite its importance, the industry has experienced prolonged stagnation, declining quality, and the growing threat of coffee berry borer (CBB). Most PNG smallholders cultivate coffee in low-input, labour-constrained systems, where the crop is often secondary to food production and customary obligations. These realities demand approaches to industry renewal that differ from plantation or high-input models. This special issue of the PNG Coffee Journal brings together contributions that examine technology, ecology, extension, and farmer perspectives in the smallholder sector. One paper evaluates demucilagers—mechanical wet mills that improve processing consistency and reduce labour demands—demonstrating their potential to enhance quality and support CBB management. Another explores the ecological benefits of shade management, including improved resilience, nutrient cycling, and income diversification. Two contributions present a new training package and the ten guiding principles underpinning it, emphasising low-input strategies, gender inclusion, and whole-farm systems approaches. The issue also includes an interview with industry practitioner and coffee pioneer, John Leahy, who provides a good dose of reality in what is possible in the PNG smallholder context.
Across these contributions, several themes emerge: the need for improved quality and consistency, the centrality of labour efficiency, the importance of agroecological sustainability, and the value of extension tailored to individual household contexts. Collectively, the papers highlight an integrated agenda linking technology, ecology, and social realities. The future of smallholder coffee in PNG will depend on aligning these dimensions in ways that improve quality, sustain livelihoods, and enable adaptation to emerging challenges.
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