Building A Voice & Alliances for Women - Papua New Guinea

Concept-Maria Linibi, Founder & President

PNG Women In Agriculture Development Foundation

Experiences and Potential of Women farmers and Women Extension Model- Knowledge Sharing

Purpose

• To inform participants in this International Conference To inform participants in this International Conference on the achievements, lessons learned and impact of on the achievements, lessons learned and impact of being a “Voice” addressing lives of rural women using this being a “Voice” addressing lives of rural women using this method of Extension, ‘Farmer to Farmer needs driven extension method of Extension, ‘Farmer to Farmer needs driven extension Approach.Approach.

• Outline the next steps of Agriculture extension under the Outline the next steps of Agriculture extension under the framework of the country’s PNG Vision 2050 Plan.framework of the country’s PNG Vision 2050 Plan.

Background

Because of weak extension services in Papua New Guinea and 85% of the rural population in the country are farmers and major food production is done by women we decided to test this new approach.. the Contracting out of support services to Women Service Providers engaged in Agriculture activities.

•Started in 2006 and Operates in 20 Provinces of PNG with 104 registered groups of 15-25 members in each group.

NGO group with aid from fundraising and Donors support.

•Objective

•To increase access by women and smallholder farmers to improved agricultural support services in enabling, networking and bridging the vaccum between Government and farmers And of all be a “Voice” for the rural women in improving their Livelihoods and Food Secure.

• GoalTo be the Voice in Enhancing and increase production, productivity and income of smallholder households (women)while ensuring sustainability of farming systems; and enhance the status of women in agriculture in the country.

Food Security

Principles, Approaches and Key Features

• In accordance with our Strategic Plan and Constitution

• The model’s key features are:-

– Women set the agenda by developing their own activity

– Based on what they have at no cost from the start (thereby promoting relevance and ownership)

– Women (usually individuals at small-scale, locally based entrepreneurs, and farmer experts apply for registration based on their small scale activity and we assist the women/smallholders to implement their plans.

Cont…

-- by Creating a Women’s Database

– Women manage own projects with their executives.

– This organization provides:

– A Voice, links, networks, mobilize, build coalition, provide advisory services to Credit Facilities, Training and networking national and International

Partners.

Cont:

Participatory Approach:

1. Participatory planning helps Governments to:

2. Learn of smallholders’ problems which may relate to

Production, but …. may also relate to other issues such as:

– Natural environment maintenance

– Natural resources’ availability

– Economic infrastructure accessibility (roads, bridges, wharves, airstrip; electric power; telecommunications)

Cont… -- Credit access

– Marketing access

– Socio-cultural characteristics

– Health

Education/ literacy and numeracy

-- Develop support programs:

-- that address priority needs – facilitate

-- non- production related problems

-- open up opportunities for increased production/

-- productivity.

Cont…• Participative methodologies adapted extension planning,

development of Research & extension projects, • Project proposals Writing,• Report Writing, Basic Computer Skills • Post-harvest processing Skills training, • Floriculture & floral arrangements, • Animal husbandry , • Disemination of research technology information to farmers • Provide clear direction for policy reforms addressing

womens issues linking to Agricultural activities.

Achievements

Achievements

Achievements

Conclusion & Key points to be considered:

•Applying a farmer first approach.•Participatory, demand driven Research and Extension projects improve relevance, Ownership, Adoption by smallholders and gives a Positive Return on investment in Extension programs.•Participatory planning (PRAP) help both farmer and implementing agency to achieve the outcome. Participation by other NARS programs in using this Extension method.

•Collaborative relationships developed with other agencies national and International .

Local Service Providers in the form of “expert farmers” are readily available and have demonstrated competence in training other local farmers in improved production practices

Participating farmers have indicated their strong preference for service delivery by service providers not (Government Extension officers) and through the contracting out approach

This increases individual farmer commitment and improves adoption rates.

Accepting value of a larger number of small-scale extension programs

RECCOMENDATIONS:

1.Based on experiences, Strategies for developing mutually beneficial partnerships between the commercial sector and smallholders could consider

2.Applying a farmer-first approach

3.Smallholders to take the initiative in submitting requests for assistance

4.Smallholders to identify their needs (production, other) through use of participatory planning

5.Smallholders to contribute to costs and participate in evaluations

5 . Accepting value of a larger number of small-scale extension programs.

6. Engaging local, qualified service providers to deliver services

7. Deploying Contract Officers(staff) to manage contracting out process.

8. Facilitating research-farmer information exchange linkages

9. Facilitating linkages to private sector for agriculture - inputs, credit, marketing.

The cost effectiveness and impact of extension services per farmer contact is more than double the cost effectiveness and impact of services provided through conventional government officer delivered extension services

Partnership Knowledge sharing improving rural livelihoods after mine closure.PNG LNG Oil Project

Achievement

InternationalPartnership Leadership &Capacity Building Training.AustralianWomen in Agriculture