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| Cecilia Kuman standing in her greenhouse in Popon Village. |
Popon has some of Jiwaka’s most productive farmland and some of
its hardest working female farmers, led by Cecilia. As the president of Aviamp
2 Women’s Group, Cecilia leads approximately 300 women towards improved farming
practices.
Established in 2002, the group is also helping the women sell
produce collectively to reduce costs, increase income and identify the best
markets.
“Women are now dominating farming,” Cecilia says in talking about
her village. Cecilia estimates that approximately 80% of farmers in her
community are female. “Men here are supported by the women. The woman provides
everything, even for the man” she said.
For years, the women used traditional farming skills to grow main
cash crops such as kaukau, corn, peanuts, pawpaw, pineapple and other
vegetables on a smaller scale.
Cecilia notes these traditional farming methods made it hard for
families in the village to have a reliable and profitable food supply.
Through a grant of K73,870 from the Australian Government’s
Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen program small community development grant scheme,
local farmers from the Aviamp 2 Women’s Group are equipped with new skills.
Group members have been trained in resource management, income generation, and
improved farming practices to improve food security and livelihoods.
Bibi Elu, a 35 year old woman is a proud recipient of the farming
skills training. Bibi said, “Before we knew nothing about earning money and how
to save. After the training, we were excited and immediately started growing
cabbage. I made K200 profit and this helped me get soap, omo and also
send my children to school. I continued saving some of it and I am planting a
new garden to make more profit”.
This project is also working with youth from the area, to help
them turn away from crime and take a interest in farming.
One of these young people is 30 year old male Simon Clement.
“Our livelihood is farming. These new farming skills have helped us
youth forget the bad things and think of our future and our children’s future.
We saw the value in the trainings. I now have the skills to grow cabbage,
carrots and know how to grow and mill rice,” said Simon.
Lucy Alphonse, a widowed mother of two, lives with HIV and is one
of many female farmers benefiting from Australian Government’s support of
Aviamp 2 Women’s Group.
Before being involved in the group, life was a struggle for Lucy.
She lived with the fear of being shunned and discriminated because of her HIV
status which often left her feeling depressed, helpless and often alone. It
wasn’t until Cecilia invited her to be part of the women’s group that her life
improved both socially and financially. Lucy has made new friends and is part
of the determined group of women who are committed to improving the livelihood
of their families.
Lucy is emotional as she tells me her story, but her face lights
up with a smile when I ask her if things have changed since the group started
receiving funding from the Australian Government.
“O yes, mi lukim bikpela senis long laif bilong mi. Bipo mi joinim
grup, nogat lain save helivim mi, wok blo man na meri mi yet save mekim, mi wok
gaden salim kaikaki, painim nupela sid. Tasol taim mi joinim dispela grup, mi
lukim olsem planti meri stap insait na ol welkamim mi wantaim bel isi. Na em
bin isi long mi kisim sid na save bilong planim kaikai olsem cabbage na carrot
bilong family bilong mi long kaikai na sampela mi bung wantaim ol narapela meri
na mipela salim long maket. Dispela i lukim mi gat inap moni blo salim pikinini
igo long skul na long lukautim marasin blo mi. Mi hamamas na mi bilip olsem bai
mi stap longpela taim long lukautim ol pikinini bilong mi. Dispela em i bikpela
samting stret i kamap long laif bilong mi na mi laik tok tenku long pipol
bilong Australia long gat luksave long turangu lain olsem mi yet.”
(“Oh yes, I have seen significant changes in my life. Before I
became part of this group, nobody really helped me. I did all the work on my
own, including tasks that men would normally do. I worked in my garden, sold
the produce and found seeds all on my own. But when I joined this group, the
other members welcomed me with no reservations. I found it easy to find seeds
and learnt new ways to grow crops like carrots and cabbages for my family’s
consumption. I also found friends to go with to sell our produce at the market.
I can now afford to send my children to school and afford my medications. I am
much happier now and believe I can live longer and take care of my children.
This is a big achievement in my life and I want to say thank you to the people
of Australia for recognising vulnerable people like me.”)
The stories of these farmers’ productivity and overall welfare is
expected to influence agricultural, gender equality and food security for this
community.
Nicholas Kuman(Cecilia’s husband) agrees that more women than
before are farming and it is positive to see their husbands, sons and male
relatives provide the support they need.
“Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in this community, and
there is an awakening among leaders that women are becoming accomplished
breadwinners for their family and therefore need the support from men. Anybody
who doesn’t think it matters is being left behind” said Nicholas.
The project is enhancing the skills and knowledge of these farmers
to sustain their livelihoods and encourage agricultural and economic
development for the community and the region.
The Aviamp 2 Women’s Group is actively involved in the Western
Highlands Provincial Council of Women, PNG Women in Agriculture and the Fresh
Produce Development Corporation.
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| Lucy Alphonse(far right) with other members of the group preparing seedlings for the nursery. |
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