Training helps couple become model farmers

BOUGAINVILLE couple James and Emelia Vamuta are proud to be recognised as model cocoa farmers for their hard work.
“Imagine working hard for two weeks to earn only K60. That was the struggle,” Vamuta said.
The couple have 500 cocoa trees in Teop, Tinputz, in North Bougainville.
In the past, James looked after the cocoa farm while Emelia tended to the garden and engage in fishing.
Despite their efforts, they struggled to save money or plan for the future.
Things started to change in 2017 when Emelia went with a friend to a Care International training under the Bougainville cocoa families support project.
The training provided tips on cocoa farming and promoted gender inclusivity in agriculture.
“It opened our eyes,” Emelia said.
“We came home and said to our husbands that they must come to the next training.
“We went to the family business management training and later we went to technical trainings too.”
Vamuta is grateful to Emelia for encouraging him to participate in the training.
The trainings are supported by the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Governments of PNG, Australia and New Zealand through the Bougainville Partnership.
The project encourages more equitable sharing of household labour and decision-making in cocoa-farming families, and improve business and farm management skills.
Emelia and James saw positive outcomes on both fronts.
“The change we’ve seen has been in sharing workloads – now my husband and I both do cocoa and household work,” Emelia continued.
They have improved the management of their farm, increasing crop yield and the income from cocoa sale.
“We were able to purchase a kiln pipe and we got the fermenter up and running.
“That is when we made a big jump with our income,” Emelia said.
They have started a small canteen too.
“We have been able to send our daughter to complete Grade 10 at Arawa Secondary School. This is a big change for us,” Emelia said.