SOUTHERN REGION DRIVES NEW POLICY FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH IN FARMING

BY MARTINA TAKANENG

THE Department of Agriculture and Livestock, with support from Food and Agriculture Organization (FOA) and the EU STREIT Program, today opened the Southern Regional Stakeholders Consultation in Port Moresby.

The 2-day workshop brings together government, provincial representatives, farmers, women’s groups, youth, private sector and development partners from NCD, Central, Gulf, Oro, Milne Bay and Morobe to help shape PNG’s first National Women and Youth in Agriculture Policy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony FAO Country Director Dr. Kachen Wongsathapornchai said the policy aims to break down long-standing barriers women and youth face in accessing land, finance, markets, infrastructure, extension services, technology and decision-making.

He said this is not just about drafting a policy but about listening, learning and co-creating solutions in unlocking the potential of women and youth to lead in agriculture and agribusiness.

DAL Deputy Secretary Operations Regina Nukundj officially opened the workshop and thanked partners and participants for their commitment..

She said the INSIGHTS of today will help us make this policy practical, equitable and transformative to build a resilient agriculture sector that empowers women and youth and drives national prosperity.

The Southern consultation is the 4th in a series of regional workshops feeding into the national policy.