Abstract
As a developing nation, Papua New Guinea (PNG) is heavily reliant on agriculture for its socio-economic growth and development. More than a decade of strong economic growth, resulting predominantly from natural resource exploration, has not improved the welfare of most Papua New Guineans and GDP per capita remains virtually unchanged since that at independence in 1975 (Pryke & Barker, Citation2017). Economic, social, environmental, and cultural development in PNG is complex as individuals have a dominant allegiance to, and trust in, sub-national groupings, notably clans or wantoks formed from over 800 distinctive local cultures and language groups (Hanson et al., Citation2001).
Approximately 87% of PNGs population live in rural areas and 85% are dependent on semi-subsistence agricultural production. In addition to owning small plots of coffee, cocoa, oil palm and other crops, as a small family enterprise, communities are increasingly engaging in small agricultural and livestock businesses. The introduction of vanilla, wheat, rice and beekeeping has had significant impacts on farmers’ incomes and subsistence throughout the country. Beekeeping has become a particularly important additional form of income for rural farmers in the Highlands Region (approximately 1,500 – 2,000 m altitude) with honey sold in local and national markets. The bulk of honey production, marketing, training and promotion are concentrated in the Eastern Highlands Province (Schouten & Lloyd, Citation2019). Gradually, honey production is expanding to neighbouring provinces of PNG, particularly the Bulolo District of Morobe Province.