Backyard farming
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As part of the Agriculture Hub project, HWC established a demonstration garden (nursery) and gardens and in 2019 delivered a training program to help Haku people learn to grow some of their food close to their homes in the villages. This is more intensive than the traditional food gardens, which for many people are a long distance from where they live. "Backyard farm" gardens enable people to grow and harvest rice and nutritious vegetables where they live, to supplement the traditional food garden crops such as taro and sweet potato.
Backyard farms are especially important for families who are caring for someone with a disability, households headed by women and young vulnerable people. The initial training program selected participants from these groups, including 30 people with disabilities, 30 youth and 30 vulnerable women - representing 90 vulnerable farmer families. Officers from the PNG Department of Primary Industry trained the participants, covering ways to diversify and increase their crop yields, and earn income from surplus food. Training included:
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The first program culminated with the inaugural Haku Agricultural Show on 8 September 2019, organised by HWC and attended by over 600 people. The Show was a tremendous success and it is hoped it will become an annual event.
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