Women bilateral talks next month

Lae News, Normal
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By SENIORL ANZU

A BILATERAL meeting between the PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation (PNGWiADF) and the Australian government to recognise women’s role in agricultural and rural development will be staged in Lae next month.
 PNGWiADF president Maria Linibi said yesterday that AusAID has given the green light to support the round-table talk on March 30 and 31 in which major stakeholders in agricultural and rural development, including international partners and donors, will be invited. 
The meeting is themed “Recognising women’s agricultural nnovations through dialogue”.
Ms Linibi called on all registered and potential members of PNGWiADF to take note of the meeting dates and attend this milestone development.
“The meeting is an initiative of the PNGWiADF to gain recognition of its role as the voice of women in agriculture who contribute to food security through the implementation of PNGWiADF’s strategic plan,” Ms Linibi said.
“PNGWiADF will be organising the event in joint collaboration and partnership with key stakeholders in the agriculture sector.” 
Ms Linibi said possible agendas included long-term support towards women initiatives in the agriculture sector in terms of institutional development, capacity building, partnership and collaboration, various research and development programmes and projects for women.
 She said such support would be aimed at improving agricultural production and productivity
of women farmers for food and cash income.
Ms Linibi said special dignitaries included AusAID representatives from PNG and Australia while Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc will be the keynote speaker and Agriculture and Livestock secretary Anton Benjamin will chair the round-table talk.
The meeting will be facilitated by the Consultative Implementation Monitoring Council with support from the National Agricultural Research Institute.
During the occasion, Ms Linibi said a number of key service providers and line agencies will be available for women to seek advice and develop network.
She added that there will be a boot for registration of new membership.
Female participants would also display some of their products.