PNG Ukuni Women in Coffee

Ukuni Women's Association was formed in 2010 with the goal of empowering and supporting women to strengthen their community. Coffee is the main source of income and lifeline as poor roads and infrastructure prevents access to basic services. The Association has 194 registered members and their families from 7 different LLG wards in the region. This equates to over 230 hectares or 720 000 coffee trees. Without reliable transport or roads coffee is stored at a central storage shed until such time it can be brought to the market. The group also encourages and supports other economic activities such as small livestock and intercropping. PNG Coffee Exports continues to provide extension services and training to the group who are now participating in certification. In addition a small training centre was donated and constructed to allow field staff the proper environment to educate farmers.

PNG Coffee Exports provided necessary tools such as bow saws and secateurs to support farmers maintain good farming practices. Ukuni Women’s Association is chaired by Racheal Joseph who also serves as a field officer for the group providing husbandry and certification guidance at the village level. She is seen here presenting the tools and also encouraging farmers to work together.

“We, the Women of Ukuni have lived in the dark under difficult conditions for far too long. We married men into the Ukuni Tribe, bore many children and lived by the day, with no plans for our lives and that of our children. That time has now passed and together we can make sure we have a better future”.