Empowering Women Farmers: Inspiring hope for Sustainable Agriculture

Getari, a registered farmer with the Kou Cooperative Society in Madang’s Usino District, stands as a guiding light.

She embarked on a transformative journey that not only elevated her cocoa block but also became a catalyst for empowering other women in her community.

This is the story of how Getari, armed with newfound knowledge and skills, turned her cocoa block into a thriving venture, proving that sustainable agriculture and women's empowerment go hand in hand.

Getari's journey began when World Vision’s ANCP Climate Smart and Inclusive Cocoa project intervened in her community in 2021 through a series of skills training, she became well-versed in the intricacies of climate-smart cocoa farming and block management – from pruning techniques to budding methods.

“I took the skills I learned and tried it in my block and I saw my cocoa improve. I started budding my cocoa last year and saw it began bearing pods”, she says.

Armed with this knowledge, Getari implemented the skills in her cocoa block, witnessing a remarkable improvement in the health and productivity of her cocoa plants. The once struggling cocoa block now bore the fruits of her dedication and the invaluable lessons she had acquired.

However, Getari's commitment didn't stop at her cocoa block. Recognising the potential to create a ripple effect, she took it upon herself to share her newfound expertise with other women eager to learn.

“I not only bud, but I also prune my plants and clean my block so that it is clean and does not attract CPB (Cocoa Pod Borer disease),” she also adds.

Through informal workshops and hands-on demonstrations in the, "farmer skul garden (farmers' garden school)," Getari became a mentor, teaching her fellow farmers the art of cocoa farming and effective block management.

“I brought other women to my block and taught them how to bud as well. They would often ask me questions about how to go about and I always try my best to explain and demonstrate what I know,” she says.

This peer-to-peer knowledge transfer not only strengthened the bonds within the community but also created a network of empowered women ready to tackle the challenges of agriculture head-on.

According to the project lead in the province, Dehaan Lapawe, the Women's Cocoa block will be laid out with an alternative tree management plan of 100 cocoa trees for savings for mothers and children while 200 trees will be for family use.

He adds, “This aims to strengthen the family Kakao Farm and S4T approach based on the idea that it is wise to manage the cash crop before it becomes cash.”

The impact of Getari's efforts became evident when she recently sold a dry bag of cocoa beans, reaping the rewards of her hard work. The substantial income of K700 was a testament to the success of her cocoa block transformation.

Cocoa price since December 2023 has been around K900.00 per bag and from June to November it was between K450.00 to K700.00

With a vision beyond immediate gains, Getari wisely saved K150 in her Savings for Transformation (S4T) group. This financial prudence reflects not only her commitment to securing her future but also a strategic move to contribute to the economic resilience of her community.

Getari's aspirations extend beyond her cocoa block. Fueled by the savings accumulated through prudent financial management, she dreams of setting up a trade store in her community. This vision goes beyond personal gain – it symbolises the empowerment of a woman who, once confined to the margins of agricultural practices, now stands at the forefront of community development.

The success story of Getari and other women like her would not have been possible without the crucial support from the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and the generous and continuous technical support of government partners like the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea in Madang Province, Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture and Livestock.

The funding provided by ANCP served as the bedrock for the intervention that equipped these women with the knowledge, tools, and resources they needed to break free from the shackles of traditional farming practices.

The impact of this intervention is not merely financial; it resonates in the transformation of livelihoods, the strengthening of community bonds, and the sustainable community-led approach to agriculture that ensures a greener and more resilient future.

ANCP's investment in empowering women like Getari is a testament to the belief that sustainable development is intricately linked with the empowerment of marginalised communities, especially women who are the cornerstone of agriculture in PNG.

By focusing on climate-smart farming techniques and essential savings skills, the project has not only elevated individual farmers but also contributed to the broader goal of creating sustainable, resilient, and thriving agricultural communities putting children’s future at its core.

“I didn’t know how to care for my cocoa but I have learned so much from this project, they taught us skills as well as gave us tools and clone cocoa materials to help us”, says Getari.

As we celebrate the success of Getari, we also recognise that her journey represents a larger narrative – one that highlights the potential for positive change when women are given the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need.

“I’m not married yet and have children of my own but I have seen the positive impact this has on my family members who have children. The money they earn from cocoa is helping them care for their children’s needs such as clothing and school fees, and they have saved some in our S4T group as well”, says Getari.

The ripple effect initiated by Getari's transformation echoes in the lush cocoa plantations of Madang's Usino District, serving as a source of inspiration for communities striving for sustainable development.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Kou Cooperative Society, ANCP, multi-stakeholders and passionate women farmers like Getari, the path to a greener, more equitable future is being paved, one cocoa plant at a time – reviving cocoa in the Usino district.