LocationsGrants empowering Enga's women farmers
May 31, 2022
Potato farmers of Enga.
Rhonda’s story is a testament to how the Enga Landscape Project's grants are poised to make a difference to the lives of local people in Enga Province. The Enga Landscape Project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP.
Rhonda Samson a potato farmer, widow, and mother of seven is originally from Western Province who married into Kinapulam Village, Pilikambi Local Level Government in Laiagam District.
“I have been struggling to raise seven children while providing for all their needs since the passing of my husband 4 years ago. But farming activity through this community-based project has been my support. With this seed capital to the Co-operative Society, support for farmers like myself will be elevated.
Rhonda is a member of Kinapulam Farmers’ Co-operative Society, one of the two recent grantees for the Enga Landscape Project Grants.
Patoto Farmer, Ms Rhonda Samson
“I am pleased with the support that we are receiving now. This support means more money to boost what we have been doing. My family will now be able to extend our potato farming activities. I will be able to meet extra costs like school fees and we can be able to improve our diets”.
Amongst other activities, Kinapulam Farmers’ Co-operative Society supplies potato seeds to farmers for small-scale commercial purposes. Rhonda’s group and the Yakam Resort Co-operative society are the second group to sign the LVG at a value of PGK 89,810 (USD 25,506) and PGK 82,172 respectively. To date, four community-based groups have signed LVG agreements with the UNDP under the EU-funded Enga Landscape Management Project.
These small grants are part of the key component of the Enga Landscape Project. The first two grantees, Laigap Poverty Relievers Association and Pakelam Waves Eco-Tourism Association were awarded in November 2021. Overall, the four grants will benefit (directly and indirectly) over 5,000 people in the target communities.
The grant disbursement is established as seed funding and financing opportunity to support community-based projects. By the end of this year, the project will aim to provide to more than 40 grantees to strengthen the sustainable and economic development of Enga Province.
These grant projects will allow the respective communities to increase their sustainable agriculture practices in a climate-friendly manner that will create jobs for the community, conserve biodiversity, and tackle climate change issues.
The Enga Landscape Project (Strengthening Integrated Landscape Management Project (SISLaM) is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
European Union Day - NBC TV:
As part of celebrations for European Union Day 2022, UNDP Papua New Guinea Deputy Resident Representative, Mr Edward Vrkic, featured on NBC TV's ‘PNG Extra’ show to discuss the European Union-funded "Strengthening Integrated Sustainable Landscape Management in Enga Province" project. This 5 year project is implemented by UNDP's Country Office to Papua New Guinea. What is UNDP's role in the project?
“I have been struggling to raise seven children while providing for all their needs since the passing of my husband 4 years ago. But farming activity through this community-based project has been my support. With this seed capital to the Co-operative Society, support for farmers like myself will be elevated.Rhonda Samson, Potato Farmer
