Survey: Women farmers lack market skills

 By VERONICA FRANCIS

WOMEN farmers in Papua New Guinea lack good communication, proper access to markets and credit facilities.

This was revealed during a two-week survey on “Building women’s business acumen” which turned out to be a success in Central, Morobe and Eastern Highlands.

The aim of the survey was to identify the needs of PNG Women in Agriculture, the expectations of their groups when joining the organisation and the issues to come up with best solutions.

According to the PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation (PNGWiADF) president Maria Linibi, there was a great representation of the diversity of women’s agricultural activity represented in each province during the survey.

She said women representative from the Highlands region came from Aiyura and Goroka in Eastern Highlands and Mt Wilhelm in Chimbu.

“For instance Marey Yogiyo, in Aiyura grows, processes, packs and markets organic coffee, Jennifa Kena in Goroka specializes in growing the African Yam and provides training to other interested growers while Julie Anton from Mt Wilhelm grows beautiful highlands orchids in a natural environment for her market,” she said.

She said it was recognised that there was a need for PNGWiADF to have a functioning secretariat to respond to the needs of its members.

Linibi said the survey findings had shown that a woman’s voice in agriculture was considered important, therefore partnerships and networks were essential for members.

The results of the survey will be presented to the executive of PNGWiADF to review before a report is finalised and forwarded to its members, donor partners, the Australian Centre for Agriculture Research, the National Agriculture Research Institute and key supporters such as the Fresh Produce Development Agency and the director general of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock.