Women farmers in Milne Bay say the high cost of
transportation is a big obstacle to the sale of agricultural produce.
The women, members of the Natu Aida Cooperative
Society of Goodenough Island, are calling on the government to look into their
plight.
These women, who usually grow and sell yams, said
that they were working hard to transport and market their yams and other
produce to markets in Alotau and Port Moresby.
The society, made up of 36 women from Waikewala
village in the Bolubolu district, is keen to organise the women and help in
assisting with transportation and accessibility to markets. However, the high
costs of transportation are a big problem.
The women also decried the lack of basic services in
the Bolubolu district.
Group leader, Theresa Bobby, who recently visited
the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) in Port Moresby, said that
women worked hard in growing yams and other produce, but when it came to marketing
and transportation, the women felt really disappointed because they could not
sell the produce.
Bobby said when women transported their yams to
Alotau town by boat, they spent between K15 and K20, depending on the size of
each bag.
“Often, the women want to take more bags of yams but
they cannot afford the high fees.
“We need more assistance in terms of agriculture and
skills development courses.
“We are looking for ways and means to improve the
lives of our mothers and families,” she said.
Bobby said the government, through DAL and relevant
agencies, should consider the transport costs and try to assist the women in
rural communities.
Her group is concerned that they have to travel all
the way to Port Moresby to talk to government authorities.
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