CREDIT SCHEME BOOST HENGAMBU WOMEN’S INTERESTS IN COCOA BUSINESS
By Zebedee GIAME, Lae
The women folk of Hengambu, in the Special Mining Lease 10 area of the Wafi Golpu project, in Morobe province, are eyeing cocoa to be their biggest income generator.
This follows the launch of a K500,000 credit scheme jointly by the Mineral Resources Authority, the Wafi Golpu Joint Ventures and the Nationwide Micro Bank (MiBank).
Hengambu Womens association President Karren Willie says over the years, the women folk have been neglected by the government.
She says there have been no financial or training and technical assistance from especially the Mumeng local level government.
But she says since the introduction of cocoa into the Hengambu area by the Wafi Golpu Joint Ventures, women have been hard at work.
She adds now with the credit scheme in place, the Hengambu women are eyeing the construction of a fermenter for themselves.
Mrs Willie also says the Hengambu women also working toward securing an export license so that they can export their own cocoa adding the Hengambu women are happy with the scheme as she says they believe that it is the opportunity that they have been waiting for.
She adds rural women folk are strong women who can work and remain committed and dedicated to whatever little project they can venture into.
Picture Caption: MRA and MiBank officials presenting the dummy cheque of K500,000 to the womens groups representatives.
Picture Caption: Karen Willie signing a partnership agreement to participate in this this scheme
