Latest news with #AVCF
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Disease-Free Coconut Nurseries In Papua New Guinea To Support White Copra Revival And Rural Livelihoods
Press Release – Pacific Community – SPC KIK Managing Director, Mr Alan Aku said the nurseries are a direct response to the challenges facing PNGs coconut industry, especially the damage caused by Bogia Coconut Syndrome. Three new coconut nurseries commissioned in Papua New Guinea (PNG) will provide disease-free, high-yield coconut seedlings to support farmers in replanting efforts, particularly those impacted by Bogia Coconut Syndrome (BCS), as part of broader efforts to revive the country's white copra market and strengthen rural livelihoods. Located in Malala (Bogia District, Madang Province), and in Viviran (Gazelle District) and Tabuna (Kokopo District) in East New Britain Province, the nurseries are part of the broader Agri Value Chain Finance (AVCF) Facility implemented by Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK) with support from the Pacific Community (SPC) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) through the ACP Business-Friendly Programme, funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). KIK Managing Director, Mr Alan Aku said the nurseries are a direct response to the challenges facing PNG's coconut industry, especially the damage caused by Bogia Coconut Syndrome. BCS is a plant disease affecting coconut palms and other palm species and is a major concern for PNG's agriculture and food security, as coconuts are a key crop for livelihoods and exports. ' By investing in clean, resilient planting materials and working with partners on financing and market access, we are not only restoring production but empowering our farmers to move from survival to success,' said Mr Aku. At the nursery launch in East New Britain, SPC's Land Resources Division Deputy Director, Ms Florence Rahiria, emphasised the long-term value of this initiative. 'These nurseries will not only provide disease-resistant, climate-resilient planting materials, but also serve as training and demonstration hubs, offering farmers direct access to technical support and modern farming knowledge,' Ms Rahiria stated. ' This integrated approach combining production, finance, and market linkages is helping transform the coconut industry from subsistence to enterprise. On behalf of SPC, I extend heartfelt thanks to the Government of Papua New Guinea, the leadership of KIK, our partners at the National Development Bank and Coconut Resource Limited, and the resilient farmers and communities who continue to inspire us,' she said. The Malala nursery is especially significant for farmers in Bogia District, where BCS has devastated coconut plantations. In addition to providing new planting material, the nurseries are linked to partner schools and learning centres that are integrating coconut farming into their school curriculum. Teacher at Malala Catholic Agro-Technical Secondary School, Mr Barry Buga shared that the initiative is not just about coconuts. ' It is about giving our students and their families real-life tools to rebuild and thrive. We now have a living classroom where agriculture meets opportunity.' Local educator in Kokopo District, Ms Melda Pona shared, ' Having this nursery here in Tabuna creates hands-on learning for our students and a direct link between schools and community-based agriculture. It encourages youth participation in agribusiness and promotes food security for the future.' The three nurseries complement wider efforts to develop tailored financing solutions for coconut and other key value chains. Through the AVCF Facility, farmers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will be supported with access to finance, technical assistance, and organised market linkages. The initiative targets not only coconut producers but also stakeholders across the cocoa, coffee, and fresh produce sectors. Agri-Finance Lead at SPC, Mr Lagi Fisher said, ' This is about strengthening the full value chain, starting with the seedling and ending with export-ready white copra. It is a model that is farmer-driven, finance-enabled, and focused on lasting impact.' About the ACP Business-Friendly Programme The ACP Business-Friendly Programme is a joint initiative of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). It aims to improve the business environment for MSMEs across the Pacific through inclusive finance, infrastructure development, and strengthened value chain partnerships.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Disease-Free Coconut Nurseries In Papua New Guinea To Support White Copra Revival And Rural Livelihoods
Three new coconut nurseries commissioned in Papua New Guinea (PNG) will provide disease-free, high-yield coconut seedlings to support farmers in replanting efforts, particularly those impacted by Bogia Coconut Syndrome (BCS), as part of broader efforts to revive the country's white copra market and strengthen rural livelihoods. Located in Malala (Bogia District, Madang Province), and in Viviran (Gazelle District) and Tabuna (Kokopo District) in East New Britain Province, the nurseries are part of the broader Agri Value Chain Finance (AVCF) Facility implemented by Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK) with support from the Pacific Community (SPC) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) through the ACP Business-Friendly Programme, funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). KIK Managing Director, Mr Alan Aku said the nurseries are a direct response to the challenges facing PNG's coconut industry, especially the damage caused by Bogia Coconut Syndrome. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading BCS is a plant disease affecting coconut palms and other palm species and is a major concern for PNG's agriculture and food security, as coconuts are a key crop for livelihoods and exports. ' By investing in clean, resilient planting materials and working with partners on financing and market access, we are not only restoring production but empowering our farmers to move from survival to success,' said Mr Aku. At the nursery launch in East New Britain, SPC's Land Resources Division Deputy Director, Ms Florence Rahiria, emphasised the long-term value of this initiative. 'These nurseries will not only provide disease-resistant, climate-resilient planting materials, but also serve as training and demonstration hubs, offering farmers direct access to technical support and modern farming knowledge,' Ms Rahiria stated. ' This integrated approach combining production, finance, and market linkages is helping transform the coconut industry from subsistence to enterprise. On behalf of SPC, I extend heartfelt thanks to the Government of Papua New Guinea, the leadership of KIK, our partners at the National Development Bank and Coconut Resource Limited, and the resilient farmers and communities who continue to inspire us,' she said. The Malala nursery is especially significant for farmers in Bogia District, where BCS has devastated coconut plantations. In addition to providing new planting material, the nurseries are linked to partner schools and learning centres that are integrating coconut farming into their school curriculum. Teacher at Malala Catholic Agro-Technical Secondary School, Mr Barry Buga shared that the initiative is not just about coconuts. ' It is about giving our students and their families real-life tools to rebuild and thrive. We now have a living classroom where agriculture meets opportunity.' Local educator in Kokopo District, Ms Melda Pona shared, ' Having this nursery here in Tabuna creates hands-on learning for our students and a direct link between schools and community-based agriculture. It encourages youth participation in agribusiness and promotes food security for the future.' The three nurseries complement wider efforts to develop tailored financing solutions for coconut and other key value chains. Through the AVCF Facility, farmers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will be supported with access to finance, technical assistance, and organised market linkages. The initiative targets not only coconut producers but also stakeholders across the cocoa, coffee, and fresh produce sectors. Agri-Finance Lead at SPC, Mr Lagi Fisher said, ' This is about strengthening the full value chain, starting with the seedling and ending with export-ready white copra. It is a model that is farmer-driven, finance-enabled, and focused on lasting impact.' About the ACP Business-Friendly Programme The ACP Business-Friendly Programme is a joint initiative of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). It aims to improve the business environment for MSMEs across the Pacific through inclusive finance, infrastructure development, and strengthened value chain partnerships.
Forbes
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Gatik Notches Key Milestone In Industry-First Third-Party Safety Audit
In an industry first for driverless deployment, Gatik announced today that it has successfully closed two major pillars of its Safety Assessment Framework. Founded in 2017, Gatik is the dominant player in autonomous middle-mile logistics. Both the Safety Case Evaluation and Functional Safety phases of Gatik's comprehensive Safety Assessment Framework were independently validated by TÜV SÜD, marking a significant milestone on the company's path to safely launching Freight-Only commercial operations this year ('Freight-Only' is Gatik's term for driverless operations, i.e. only cargo is being moved, not humans). Gatik's announcement that their Safety Case and Functional Safety processes meet the requirements of a globally respected safety organization is a first for the autonomous driving industry. For instance, Aurora has partnered with safety organizations including TÜV SÜD only in an advisory role, and Waymo has worked with Swiss Re to compare their on-road performance with relevant safety data. These and other autonomous vehicle deployers have chosen to apply their own internal validation process. This is in stark contrast to the level of rigor and transparency with which Gatik has approached the validation of its safety case, actively choosing to seek an independent audit of its entire safety ecosystem. Arguments are made among safety experts as to 'how safe is safe enough?' in determining whether an autonomous vehicle is ready for deployment. Government agencies are in the game as well, particularly in Europe. So far, there is no broadly accepted 'right way.' There could be several legitimate approaches to safety validation. With today's announcement Gatik has made a compelling argument for the need for a comprehensive, independent audit, at the same time demonstrating significant progress in approaching Freight-Only deployment at scale. TÜV SÜD, a globally recognized independent testing, inspection, and certification organization with extensive experience in autonomous system safety assurance, provided independent, third-party validation that Gatik's rigorous approach to the development of a comprehensive Safety Case and Functional Safety met the requirements of TÜV SÜD's Autonomous Vehicle Conformity Framework (AVCF). The AVCF is a globally recognized process for evaluating autonomous vehicle safety across development, testing and deployment domains. Gatik announced their partnership with TÜV SÜD last fall. While self-certification has become the accepted standard for safety in the AV industry, Gatik's Safety Assessment Framework enables traceability and transparency to all claims of safety that are made, by virtue of an independent assessment (see image above). TÜV SÜD's AVCF involves an end-to-end review of Gatik's Functional Safety portfolios, including the following key elements: Operational Design Domain, Item Definition, Testing, Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment, Coverage/Safety Analysis and Safety Culture. Importantly, these items and all others related to safety trace to a comprehensive Safety Case allowing for appropriate oversight of the entire system. TÜV SÜD concluded that Gatik's approach demonstrated substantial rigor and compliance with its internal requirements under the AVCF. 'We strongly believe that the future of autonomous vehicles will be defined by those who prioritize safety above all else,' said Gautam Narang, CEO of Gatik. 'This independently validated audit of our Safety Case and Functional Safety ecosystem represents a radical departure from the self-certified safety audits that have become the industry norm. By engaging TÜV SÜD to provide this validation from an external vantage point, Gatik is setting a new benchmark for the industry – one that puts safety and transparency at the forefront of the autonomous vehicle revolution.' 'From the beginning, Gatik's approach to safety has been defined by an uncompromising commitment to the highest standards, both internal and external,' said Dr. Adam Campbell, Gatik's Head of Safety. 'The independent validation that we have pursued at Gatik meets the level of transparency that policymakers, first responders, business partners, and everyday drivers expect and deserve. TÜV SÜD's assessment represents a tremendous vote of confidence in our approaches to scaling safety in our Safety Assessment Framework, serving as the foundation for our launch of Freight-Only commercial operations at scale this year.' Gatik's Safety Assessment Framework encompasses over 700 identified safety portfolios to address key pillars of AV safety: organizational safety culture, engineering quality (functional, behavioral and operational safety of the self-driving system), cyber security, vehicle safety, and Safety Case conformity to UL4600 and other industry standards. As part of the company's commitment to transparency and accountability across all aspects of their approach to safe testing and deployment, Gatik will soon be publicly sharing further information on progress made towards completion of the Safety Assessment Framework prior to deployment of Freight-Only operations. Gatik provides its customers with autonomous transportation-as-a-service (ATaaS), enabling more frequent deliveries and future-proofing the supply chain for the nation's largest grocers, retailers and e-Commerce companies. The company focuses on short-haul, B2B logistics and in 2021 launched the world's first driverless commercial transportation service with Walmart. Other announced customers include Kroger, Loblaws, and Georgia-Pacific. Gatik's Freight-Only vehicles are designed to operate in semi-urban and highway settings, i.e. everywhere except dense inner-city environments. A typical operation involves carrying goods from a distribution center to regional retail stores to increase product flow, ensure dedicated capacity, and protect against an acute driver shortage. Gatik's Class 6-7 autonomous box trucks are commercially deployed in multiple markets including Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, and Ontario. Gatik is partnered with industry leaders including Isuzu Motors, Cummins, Ryder, and Goodyear. The company has offices in Mountain View, Dallas Fort-Worth, Phoenix, and Toronto. As Gatik shares further information and rolls out Freight-Only operations in multiple regions this year, the external validation approach announced today will be put to the test in extensive real-world driving. Disclosure: Richard Bishop is an Advisor to and/or an equity holder in the following companies mentioned in this article: Alphabet (Waymo), Aurora, Gatik.
