Rural women attend AusAID-PNG women talk in Lae

Anna Kapus from Wewak showing Dr John Kolia, chairman of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Council various oils she produced out of coconut oil at the Women in Agriculture round table conference. Mrs Kapus is showing the next stage of agriculture production which is downstream processing - taking the primary produce to the next level.-Pictures by OSEAH PHILEMON

Samantha Gangai (seated) who is a research assistant with the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) promoting healthy eating by showing women in agriculture how to prepare a delicious meal out of mung bean sprouts, vegetables and rice. She had samples out and everyone who tasted it commented favourably about it.

This is Waghi Rice- rice grown and packed in Wahgi in Jiwaka province.From left- Yara Kagl, Monica Ape and Anna Ane display the rice they
Just harvested from their rice fields in the Wahgi area of the Jiwaka area.

The women of Southern Highlands travelled a long distance to get to Lae for the Women in Agriculture roundtable talks. This is Martha Yawij, president of the Tari LNG women who are involved in vegetable and livestock production in the Tari-Hides LNG area.These women have a huge potential for their produce with the LNG project just starting.

WOMEN from Gabsongkeg village near Nadzab entertaining visiting delegates to the women in agriculture roundtable conference at NARI near Lae.

Susie Silas from Busanim Yalu outside Lae displaying her flowers at the Women in Agriculture roundtable conference. Horticulture is one of the agriculture businesses being talked about at the conference.

Who would beat giant guavas?These are the fruits from the Nglonzua Farm at Munum Village near Lae being displayed by young grower Leilah Gugua at the Women in Agriculture show.These guavas are selling for K4 a fruit.

By SENIORL ANZU of NARI

Rural women farmers throughout Papua New Guinea gathered in Lae this week for a roundtable talk with key stakeholders in the agriculture sector.

The PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation (PNGWiADF), with support from AusAID, hosted the meeting on possible organisational support towards PNG women in the agriculture sector.

PNGWiADF president Maria Linibi said the immediate outcome expected from this forum was to establish collaboration and partnership with various stakeholders, government agencies and donor partners to fund and/or implement components of the PNGWIADF Strategic Plan.

While the high-level talk was scheduled for yesterday, the rural women farmers attended a capacity-building workshop on Monday, followed by a knowledge-sharing field day the next day to showcase their agricultural innovations and potentials.

Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc gave the keynote address while Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Anton Benjamin chaired the roundtable talk.

Among the dignitaries was Minister for Agriculture John Hickey and representatives from various government agencies, international donors such as AusAID and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Australian Women in Agriculture, Rural Industries Council, National Agriculture Research Institute and women leaders and farmers.

Ms Linibi said the three-day event was also to gain recognition of the role of PNGWiADF as the voice of women in agriculture who contribute to food security through the implementation of the PNGWiADF strategic plan.

“In staging the round-table forum, PNGWiADF is bringing women’s voices to the attention of donor partners, line government agencies and other stakeholders to recognise its strategic plan as a plan for all rural women who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods,” she said.

“The plan was developed by the women and it echoes and complements other macro plans such as the Millennium Development Goals, PNG Vision 2050, Medium Term Development Strategy (2005-2010), National Agriculture Development Plan (2006-2016), and NARI Strategic Plan (2006-2015).

Among those who traveled to Lae this week were individuals and groups from Kikori (Gulf), Kutubu and Moran (Southern Highlands), Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Sandaun, East Sepik, Hiritano, Oro, East New Britain, Maprik, Aitape Laumi, Abau, Madang, Bougainville, Sogeri, Ramu, Mutzing, Mumeng and Markham.

The forum’s minor sponsors included Trukai Industries, PNG Democratic Governance, NARI, Rural Industries Council, Momahi Guest House, Tropical Niugini Woods and Australian Women in Agriculture.