FAO Launches Partnership to Transform Sepik Communities Through Gender-Inclusive Agrifood Value Chain Development

Wewak, Papua New Guinea – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme has entered into a strategic partnership with Help Resources Inc. to advance gender equality, inclusivity and sustainable agriculture in the Sepik Region.  The partnership, formalised through a  Letter of Agreement (LoA) aims to empower communities by equipping them with knowledge, skills and leadership opportunities that drive inclusive economic growth in agriculture. advancing gender equality, inclusivity and sustainable agriculture across the Sepik region.

As part of the initiative, 200 Community members will be trained as Community Gender Advocates (CGAs) across 10 districts in East and West Sepik Provinces. The comprehensive training program encompasses modules on Gender Inclusive Agrifood Value Chain Development, Group Dynamics, Farming as a Family Business, Financial Literacy, and Good Governance. The training will be delivered using the globally recognized Gender Action Learning System (GALS) methodology. This household empowerment approach fosters inclusive decision-making, fair distribution of resources and labour and strengthened family resilience. By employing visual diagramming and community-led planning, GALS has already transformed communities in Pakistan, Nepal, and Kyrgyzstan, and it is now poised to drive similar change to  Papua New Guinea. 

Speaking about the partnership, Ms. Patu Shang, Gender & Youth Inclusion Specialist for the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, emphasized its long-term impact: “This collaboration is not just about training- it is about creating a lasting movement for inclusion and transformation in farming and agribusiness communities. By strengthening the capacity of local partners and stakeholders through knowledge-sharing we ensure that these efforts continue long after the EU-STREIT PNG Programme’s lifespan.”

Through this initiative, the 200 trained CGAs will share their knowledge to 1,000 household beneficiaries, helping them adopt sustainable inclusive farming practices under the Farming as a Family Business approach. Additionally, 100 STREIT-beneficiary groups will receive tailored mentorship to enhance governance, operational efficiency, and the development of updated business plans in their respective agrifood value chains MSMEs.

This new partnership with Help Resources Inc. marks another significant step in ensuring that gender inclusivity and economic empowerment remain at the forefront of Papua New Guinea’s agricultural sector.

This initiative underscores FAO’s commitment to fostering strong local collaborations that promote inclusive and sustainable economic development in Papua New Guinea. By integrating innovative methodologies with local expertise, the initiative seeks to create lasting social  and economic benefits across the Sepik region. 

Under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, FAO places strong emphasis on gender equality and youth inclusion across the cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries value chains. The programme empowers women and youth   by ensuring equitable access to knowledge, skills, resources, and leadership opportunities. Through capacity building, training, partnerships, mentorship, and policy advocacy, the Programme aims to enhance women and youth participation in agricultural value chains, strengthen decision-making power, driving local economic development, and strengthening community resilience by ensuring equitable access to resources and amplifying diverse voices.

About the EU-STREIT PNG Programme

The EU-STREIT PNG, being implemented as a United Nations Joint Programme (by FAO, ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP), is the European Union's largest grant-funded initiative in the country. It focuses on boosting sustainable and inclusive economic development in rural areas. This is achieved by enhancing economic returns and opportunities within cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries value chains. Additionally, the Programme strengthens and improves the efficiency of value chain enablers, including access to ICT and digital financial services. It also supports the development of sustainable, climate-resilient transport infrastructures and renewable energy solutions. The Programme benefits two provinces: East Sepik and West Sepik.