Papua New Guinea Agritourism Policy Setting Workshop 2019 Policy setting for Improved Linkages Between Agriculture, Trade and Tourism: Strengthening the Local Agrifood Sector and Promoting Healthy Food in Agritourism Workshop organised by the Government of Papua New Guinea in collaboration with and Pacific Community, CTA, PIPSO, IFAD and SPTO Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 27-28th May 2019.

1. BUNDI KOMBA FESTIVAL
“Food Festival: Celebrating Food and Tourism for All”
by
Vincent Kumura

2. Presentation Outline
1. Overview of Bundi Komba
2. Festival Highlights
3. Festival Significance
4. Challenges
5. Event Outcome
6. Linkages btw Agriculture,
Cuisine and Tourism
7. Sustainability

3. Bundi Komba (Marita) or Buah Merah
“pandanus conoideus”
1. A rare food (agriculture) product. More kombas than
human population of Bundi.
2. Over 25 different types in Bundi.
3. 3 Different Main Colours (Red, Yellow, Orange-red)
4. Grows well from 400m-1700m. Ripes in wet season (Oct-
April).
5. A main diet for the Birds of Paradise
6. A very important food culture of Bundi
7. Minike is the most juiciest of red kombas.

4. Bundi Komba Cont-
Traditional Cooking Methods
1. Imu ( mumu)
2. Wokos (bamboos)
3. Garias (claypots)
Local Cuisines (Dishes):
1. Komba Pige
2. Komba Bai
3. Komba Gowe
Potential Uses
1. Commercial Purposes:
- Komba Oils (cooking & body)
- Komba Soaps
- Komba Sauces
2. Exotic Culinary Cuisines

5. Experiences/Highlights
1. A little over 1,000 people attended
2. Very diverse pool of visitors
3. 7 Diverse cultural groups performed
4. 1,200 kombas (maritas) used for the festival.
5. 3 Different organic komba dishes were served
6. K36, 000 cash flow. K16,000 to host village.
7. Grand & Colourful Entry by Simbu Bikers Association
*This festival has the potential to grow bigger in years
ahead

6. Significance of Komba Festival
1. It showcases a rare food & culture of PNG
2. Revives & Preserves the local culture of Bundi
3. Niche Food Festival Tourism Product of PNG
4. Potential to grow bigger & change the livelihood of locals
5. Komba can be used to produce other products such as:
soaps, oil (for cooking & body oil), different types of dishes
and sauces for commercial purposes
6. Potential to be used as an authentic cuisine in food tourism

7. Challenges
1. Access & Connectivity (tough road conditions & remote)
2. Wet conditions (komba ripes during wet season)
3. No water supply and medical facility at festival village/site.
4. Will have housing concerns when festival grows bigger.
5. Funding (sustainability & product development)
Note: Niche market for Adventure Tourists (trekkers, bird
watchers, cultural & food enthusiasts between 20-50)

8. Festival Outcome
1. Bundi Culture is Revived and Strengthened
2. 5 Cultural Groups and 1 Catering Group will participate
at the 2019 Goroka Festival
3. Community Mobilization & Rebuilding (Housing, water
supply, festival garden, trek & komba maintenance, etc.).
4. Erection of Bird Watching Sites near Festival Ground
5. Commercial Options: komba oil, soaps, sauces, etc.
6. Report for PNGTPA, NCC etc.

9. Linkages between Agriculture, Cuisine
& Tourism
Kumura Foundation wants to:
1. Work with individuals or organizations who have already
done studies on the nutritional benefits of komba
2. Secure funding and conduct trainings on how to produce
Bundi komba sauces, soaps, and oils (cooking & body oils).
3. Produce, label and sell the above items at retail stores,
shows, online, etc. to benefit the locals.
4. Contract with major hotels and restaurants in PNG to have
our rare & traditional organic komba dishes on their menus
5. Launch komba dish and organic Bundi coffee tasting at our
annual Bundi Komba Festival

10. Going Forward: Sustainability
1. More strategic partnership with PNGTPA, NCC, etc.
for marketing, funding, signing of MoA, etc.
2. Request Government & Corporate
sponsorships/funding.
3. Partner with the above bodies, World Bank or other
such ORGs to maintain the road to Yandera, Bundi.
4. Work with chopper companies to subsidize airlifting
tourists for the festival.
*Brand Destination- Our Environment, People, Culture

11. Festival Pictures