The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) sponsored K10,000 towards the 3rd Jimi Marita Festival held at Karap Primary School in Middle Jimi, Jiwaka Province on Thursday 16 January celebrating the region’s unique cultural identity and the traditional superfood, Pandanus Conoideus (Marita).

TPA’s sponsorship supported the successful hosting of the event, which highlighted the cultural and health benefits of Marita. The National Agriculture Research Institute’s (NARI) research scientist Jonah Anton, spoke extensively about the significance of Marita.

“While Marita is not currently a priority crop for NARI, we have identified 16 species in Jimi, with the total across the province exceeding 20. It’s a vital food that is now gaining the recognition it deserves. Marita is a powerhouse of nutrients with incredible health benefits. It contains three key chemicals that make it a valuable food source: Carotene, which is essential for improving eye health; Tocopherol, a potent antioxidant that supports overall well-being; and Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, which are vital for heart health and brain function. These nutrients highlight why preserving and promoting Marita is so important for both our culture and our health. Preserving Marita is crucial as it’s a dying food, and its nutritional value and cultural importance cannot be overstated,” said Anton.

Marita Festival’s Chairman, Gabbi Apainga expressed his gratitude for TPA’s support.

“We are deeply thankful to TPA for their generous sponsorship. Their involvement ensures the success of this festival and helps shine a light on the cultural importance of Marita,” said Apainga.

Jiwaka Provincial Administrator, Rick Kogan commended both the organizing committee and TPA.

“I applaud Mr. Apainga and his team for orchestrating such a successful event. TPA’s commitment to preserving our culture through initiatives like this festival is truly commendable,” said Kogan.

During the event, SME and local producers and suppliers of Marita-based products, John and Lorin Kisan, shared their journey and vision.

“We officially registered our business this year, but we’ve always had a passion for Marita,” said Mr Kisan.
Mrs Kisan added that the production of Marita products helped the local communities.

“With the high cost of imported foods, especially oils, our Marita products—including oil, soup, and stock feed for pigs—provide a convenient and affordable option for local communities,” said Mrs Kisan.

A highlight of the festival was a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the partnership established last year through an MOU signed between TPA and the Jimi District Development Authority. This officially launched TPA’s annual commitment to support the Jimi Marita Festival, ensuring its continuity and growth.

TPA CEO Eric Mossman Uvovo commended the organizing committee for their efforts.

“The success of this festival is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the organizing team. TPA is proud to support such initiatives that celebrate and preserve our unique cultural heritage, especially Marita and promote agritourism for the district,” said Uvovo.

📸 Thumbnail Caption (Left to right) Representative from the office of the Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, William Lappa, Jiwaka Provincial Administrator, Rick Kogan, TPA’s Executive Officer to the CEO, Fred Pennington and Jimi Marita Festival Chairman, Gabbi Apainga during the official ribbon cutting to launch TPA’s annual commitment to the festival.

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Tourism Promotion Authority Partner with Jimi District Development Authority to Strengthen Tourism in Jiwaka Province 

Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) and the Jimi District Development Authority (DDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday 11th October in Port Moresby to drive sustainable development and enhance tourism in the Jimi District of Jiwaka Province

This partnership aims to strengthen the relationship between national, provincial, and district authorities, focusing on building capacity and providing material support for tourism-related projects. Both entities have committed to preserving Jimi District’s rich cultural heritage, while also improving infrastructure and promoting the area as one of the country’s key tourist destinations.

CEO of TPA, Eric Mossman Uvovo, praised the initiative.
“This MOU is important for TPA and Jimi DDA. It shows TPA’s commitment to protecting our people’s culture and promoting sustainable tourism by working with districts at the local level.

Jimi is a district with immense cultural and natural beauty, and we are excited to work together to build it into a tourism product. This partnership will contribute to the national tourism agenda and align with the government’s vision for 2050,” said Uvovo.  The MOU is closely aligned with several national development plans, including Vision 2050, the Development Strategic Plan (DSP) 2010-2030, and the National Tourism Policy.  It promotes the importance of provincial and district governments in protecting PNG’s cultural and natural heritage, a cornerstone for promoting sustainable tourism in the country.

Both parties have agreed to establish a Joint Milestones Matrix (JMM), which will outline annual targets and budget priorities, ensuring that progress is consistently reviewed and updated. PNGTPA will provide support and work closely with the district to ensure that all initiatives are community-focused and responsive to local needs.

The agreement also highlights the creation of a district-level data collection system, which will help monitor tourism trends, demographics, and cultural resources. By sharing this data, both TPA and the Jimi DDA aim to ensure that future tourism projects are based on accurate information and meet the needs of local communities.

Minister for Mining Member for Jimi Open Electorate & Chairman of Jimi District Development Authority, Hon. Wake Goi highlighted the importance of the MOU agreement for Jimi District.

“Through this landmark partnership, Jimi District will become a key tourism area in Papua New Guinea. Our collaboration with TPA is a start to a new chapter for the people of Jimi.  This MOU is an approach that prioritizes environmental protection, and the active involvement of local communities in the decision-making process.  I am committed to ensuring that this partnership leads to sustainable growth and more benefits for our district. I am excited for the opportunities this brings, not just for tourism, but for the development of my Jimi District and our future generations,” said Uvovo.◼️ 

📸 Above image: (L-R)  Chairman of Jimi Marita Festival, Gabby Aipanga, Jimi District Administration’s (DDA) Finance Manager, Joseph Kala, Minister for Mining Member for Jimi Open Electorate & Chairman of Jimi District Development Authority, Hon. Wake Goi, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority’s (TPA) CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo and TPA’s Executive Manager for Partnership & Product Development, Kennewton Kennedy during the official signing of the MOU between TPA and Jimi DDA.

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