Sepik Farmers in Papua New Guinea Embrace Digital Weather Advisory System for Climate-Smart Agriculture

Wewak, Papua New Guinea – Farmers across East and West Sepik provinces of Papua New Guinea are embracing a new era in agriculture, empowered by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to master and effectively use AMAMAS, a weather and crop advisory system that provides crucial forecasts and farming recommendations. Though publicly available, ITU, working under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, has introduced AMAMAS directly to Sepik farmers for the first time, building their capacity to make the most of this tool’s powerful insights.

Farming is the heartbeat of life for Sepik communities, yet the unpredictable weather of Papua New Guinea poses constant risks to their harvests. The ITU-led capacity-building training has equipped more than 300 farmers so far to use AMAMAS effectively, helping them make well-informed decisions on planting, pest management, water use, and more. By following timely, data-driven advice, Sepik farmers can now better prepare their crops and protect their yields against adverse weather events.

“ITU conducted a series of digital skills trainings for us, the farmers, and AMAMAS has changed the way I farm,” shared Joseph Wotom a cocoa farmer from Nuku District of West Sepik. “The advisories are clear and practical. I've seen a 25% increase in my crop yield since I started using it.”

Training to Build Farming Confidence and Resilience

The impact of AMAMAS goes beyond just providing forecasts; it’s about giving farmers the skills to act on them. Through hands-on workshops, interactive learning sessions, and ongoing support, ITU, as part of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, has enabled Sepik farmers to understand and apply AMAMAS insights. This marks a major shift from traditional, intuition-based practices to a structured, data-informed approach.

“The ITU training sessions were incredibly helpful,” said Grace Kemblasa, a cocoa farmer from Aitape, West Sepik. “I feel more confident in my farming decisions now. AMAMAS has made farming less stressful and more rewarding.”
Steven Kumun, a cocoa farmer from Worsera District of East Sepik, added, “Before AMAMAS, I was constantly worried about the weather ruining my crops. Now, I feel more confident. The advisories are location-specific and therefore helped me increase my yields.”

A very passionate Everlyn Sukina, a cocoa farmer from Ambunti District, East Sepik, also shared her experience: “The training was an eye-opening for me. I never realized how important weather information is to agriculture. This new knowledge will help me greatly in my farming practices.”

ITU’s Ongoing Support Drives Long-Term Success

By implementing this support under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, “ITU has not only introduced AMAMAS as a decision support system tool for the farmers in the Sepik, but more so tailored the platform to better suit the unique needs of the farmers by ensuring that it is accessible and intuitive, even for those with limited digital experience,” explained Kanagat Alyshbaev, the Project Officer for ITU-STREIT. The training is being continuously supported and enhanced by providing regular weather updates, giving farmers reliable and up-to-date climate information every season. 

This practical approach is helping Sepik farmers become more resilient, allowing them to manage their crops with the foresight they need to protect against climate uncertainties. Farmers are now equipped to use precise, location-specific recommendations on planting, harvesting, pest control, and irrigation, reducing crop losses and increasing productivity.
“AMAMAS has changed the way I farm. I now have the right information to avoid risks and grow more,” Moses Walikin from East Sepik emphasized. “It feels like I’m more in control now, and I know my crops will be better from it.”

Shaping a Brighter Future for Sepik Agriculture

The stories shared by Sepik farmers reveal the powerful potential of combining technology with hands-on learning. The EU-STREIT PNG Programme’s commitment to supporting Sepik communities is fostering sustainable agriculture practices that strengthen food security, economic stability, and community resilience.

As the Programme continues its collaboration in the region, the positive changes brought by AMAMAS underscore the value of knowledge and local empowerment. This partnership is setting a foundation for sustainable, climate-smart farming that will benefit Sepik farmers and their communities for years to come.

About the EU-STREIT PNG Programme

The EU-STREIT PNG, implemented as a United Nations Joint Programme (by FAO, ILO, ITU, UNCDF, and UNDP), is the European Union's largest grant-funded initiative in the country. It focuses on boosting sustainable and inclusive economic development in rural areas. This is achieved by FAO’s support in enhancing economic returns and opportunities within cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries value chains. Additionally, the Programme strengthens and improves the efficiency of value chain enablers, including access to ICT by ITU and digital financial services by UNCDF. ILO also supports the development of sustainable, climate-resilient roads and other transport infrastructures while UNDP provides renewable energy solutions. The Programme benefits two provinces: East Sepik and West Sepik.