Livelihoods support programs
Through our livelihoods support, we are building the capacity of communities and enhancing the livelihoods of Papua New Guineans in our Project areas.
This is achieved through encouraging simple technical improvements and introducing new agricultural technologies to existing livelihood activities and supporting local economic opportunities.
Our livelihoods support program builds upon the agriculture program that was successfully introduced during the Project’s construction phase and has been tailored to meet the needs of LNG Plant communities at Caution Bay and those communities located near Project locations within Southern Highlands and Hela Provinces.
Support programs cover agricultural production and livestock management, food and nutrition training, and financial literacy training.
By developing the skills of the men, women and youth in Project villages, we are helping communities generate incomes for themselves today and long into the future.
Food and nutrition training
Understanding the basics of food production, nutrition and hygiene can make a significant difference to the prosperity, health and well-being of an entire community.
Our Livelihoods Support team works with local communities and schools to provide education and training in food basics such as:
- Practicing hygiene
- Importance of nutrition
- Creating healthy, balanced diets and meals for families
- Avoiding bad eating habits
- Establishing well-diversified food crop and vegetable gardens
- Disposal of household waste to ensure a clean environment
- As skills in these basic areas grow they become ingrained into daily routines and will become skills that are passed down from generation to generation
Building upon this knowledge of food, nutrition and hygiene the Livelihoods Support team also provides education and training in basic food processing techniques such as baking.
Many local micro-enterprises are developing as a result of this training with individuals, and small groups selling their baked goods. In addition to selling baked goods, people are adding value to their food products to generate a better income such as roasting and packaging peanuts.
Agricultural production
The key goal of our agricultural support is to provide households with the skills and knowledge that empowers them to make informed decisions about farming and land management – ultimately ensuring long-term food security for households and their community. These initiatives build on existing local knowledge and are enhanced through introduction of new agricultural materials and technology.
The livelihoods team provide education, training and support in the following areas:
- Production, management, crop rotation and maintenance
- Diversifying food gardens
- Income generating opportunities
Participants follow a crop throughout an entire season, learning about a full maturity cycle and work with the group to develop solutions to problems.
As part of the program, farmers are provided with planting materials ranging from important fruit and nut tree crops to improved food crops and short-term vegetables after attending requisite training. Training is an integral part of the program that helps to equip farmers with new skills and technology to improve the management of their crops and farming systems.
Our livelihood specialists and field assistants oversee the agricultural activities on a daily basis and provide follow-up training and mentoring advice.
Livestock management
Through our food and nutrition training, many communities now have a greater understanding of the importance of nutrition, including the use of meat and eggs in household diets. As a result, the health and development of livestock such as chicken and ducks needs to be protected and grown.
The Livelihood Support team provides livestock training and support focussing on breeding, animal health and welfare, feeding and hygiene. Individuals with entrepreneurial skills have begun to realise the potential to earn an income through the sale of animals or animal products and are thirsty for the continued guidance and support provided by the Livelihoods Support team.
Financial literacy training
As income generating opportunities grow, and sales in livestock, agriculture and food products increase, so too does the money flowing through the local economy. To ensure communities are able to manage these additional funds, we are providing training in simple financial literacy. The training covers basic financial and mathematical skills, simple book keeping skills and processes to enable women to better manage household funds, and to naturally grow into local micro-enterprise entrepreneurs.