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Abstract
Women in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have a vital role
to play in managing the long-term sustainable supply of
food to the formal and informal markets. With over
85% of the food grown by women, and with relatively
little public investment in the food crop sector over
time, national non-government organisations such as
PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation
(PNGWiADF) have been formed. They aim to help
smallholder farmers address supply constraints and
physical and market infrastructure issues, and to provide
opportunities and assistance such as agricultural and
business training, and brokerage services. They lobby and
advocate for improved utilities as well as providing quality assurance.
This paper outlines the key characteristics of the agricultural sector in
PNG, discusses the markets for fresh produce, and analyses the value
chain using case studies from PNGWiADF. It also outlines strategies
and recommendations made by the PNGWiADF to contribute to the
development of a viable food crop sector in Papua New Guinea.