Komo Hulia District launches agroforestry and reforestation program in Komo

The Komo Hulia District Development Authority [DDA], in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea Forest Authority, officially launched the Komo Hulia Agroforestry and Reforestation Program on Tuesday at Komo Station in the Hela Province.

While many DDAs across the country prioritize infrastructure and economic sectors, The DDA has chosen to invest in ecological restoration and sustainable land use, an approach that could redefine rural development in the Highlands. The launch event drew a large and excited crowd.

However, the absence of key figures, Local MP Daniel Tindipu, Minister for Forests Salio Waipo, and PNG Forest Authority Managing Director John Mosoro was noted, as they were unable to attend due to prior commitments.

Despite this, the spirit of the event remained strong, thanks to the active participation of the Ajakare community in the Komo LLG. These local champions have already begun transforming degraded grasslands into thriving green zones.

Following a week-long training facilitated by the PNG Forest Authority recently, the community successfully planted 5,000 tree seedlings and voluntarily allocated approximately 300 hectares of land to support the project.

Speaking on behalf of the PNG Forest Authority, Dambis Kaip emphasized the impact of the initiative, calling it the first of its kind in the district.

“This project is more than just tree planting, it’s about unlocking the potential of multi-land use systems that can deliver essential services, support livelihoods, and stimulate economic growth in rural areas,” Kaip said.

He said the launch is also important as it establishes a visible presence for the PNG Forest Authority in the Upper Highlands, where agroforestry projects have huge potential.

Komo Hulia DDA CEO Wilson Pole says Hela is transitioning from a reliance on extractive industries to exploring more sustainable and inclusive development models.

“Forestry can play a pivotal role in that transformation,” Pole stated. He further announced that the DDA will provide office space for the PNG Forest Authority in Komo Hulia, enabling the rollout of similar projects across the province.