Empowering Farmers in Unggai Bena
USAID PNG LGP in partnership with Komuniti Hanmak Consulting Ltd, the Famalain Organization & Capacity Development (FO&CD) Project is revolutionizing agricultural development in Papua New Guinea’s highlands.
Reaching its second milestone, the project is enhancing agricultural skills and fostering inclusivity. In the district of Unggai Bena, where farmers primarily engage in beekeeping and semi-commercial fresh produce production, tailored training addresses their specific needs. Launched on February 1, 2024, the training focuses on raising awareness and equipping farmers with market-oriented production skills. Recognizing the challenges of unreliable market outlets, the Farm Management Training was adapted to fit the farmers’ semi-commercial status.
Trainers used potato crops as an engaging example to help farmers understand production and marketing processes, which were then applied to various other crops. The hands-on approach, supported by a comprehensive Production Information Pack, significantly enhanced the learning experience. Farmers rated the training as transformative, appreciating its impact on their livelihoods.
The training yielded tangible results. A tomato lead farmer from Bena now makes significant sales, harvesting an average of 20 buckets of tomatoes per week and making multiple trips to Goroka market. These success stories underscore the farmers’ need for reliable market channels, and the training within the Famalain market supply chain context was very well received.
Promoting gender inclusion and youth empowerment is central to the project. Initially, 33 men and 4 women attended the training. The program successfully increased women’s participation, with 10 attending awareness meetings and 4 taking leadership roles. Youth involvement has also been promising, with five young farmers organizing producer units and setting inspiring examples.
The FO&CD Project’s journey has been marked by challenges, learning, and significant strides toward agricultural development. Through inclusive training and capacity building, the project is not only enhancing farming skills but also fostering community growth. With the unwavering support of USAID, Komuniti Hanmak Consulting Ltd remains dedicated to transforming the agricultural landscape and ensuring sustainable, inclusive progress for all farmers.
