Bougainville women team up with agro-foundation

By SENIORL ANZU
RURAL women in Bougainville have teamed up with the PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation (PNGWiADF) to network with other women and source new information and techniques to improve their agricultural farming practices.
During the launching of the Bougainville Women in Agriculture (BWiA) in Arawa recently, local women in agriculture and floriculture tied the knot with the national  body.
The occasion coincided with a floriculture show which was attended by more than 200 women from nearby areas including Koromira, North Naioi, Awara, Kieta, Buka Island and Panguna. 
PNGWiADF President Maria Linibi, who officiated at the occasion, said there was much enthusiasm and interest by women who had settled into a new life using the land and its resources following the Bougainville Crisis.
Linibi said women in Bougainville have also ventured into small business opportunities and have played a huge role in developing the island.
The one-day occasion was organised by BWiA under the leadership of president Delwine Ketsian.
The group was previously known as Kieta WiA but due to interest and attendance from throughout the island, the name was changed to BWiA.
The launching was done jointly by Linibi and commissioner of Central Bougainville, James Koibo.
Among others who attended were representatives from Central Bougainville MP’s office, women of Central Bougainville, other women leaders and farmers.
Linibi said Bougainville women had huge potential in agriculture development due to their ownership of land through the matrilineal family structure.
Local women said that the presence of PNGWiADF was a positive move for them to develop partnership, share resources, and learn from one another.

They said this was also the beginning of many good things to come through networking and having better access to information on agriculture and development through the PNGWiADF establishment and network.
Linibi said the women were determined and had the passion to participate in innovative development, as shown through the different exhibits and displays during the floriculture show. 
Following the launching, Linibi was taken around the island on a guided tour.