The history of training women in agricultural extension in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Before Papua New Guinea became independent in 1975, agricultural training and extension were usually carried out by men with a background in commercial farming in Australia and other Western countries. Extension work concentrated on cash crops and, since 1964, cattle. Subsistence agriculture was studied and monitored from time to time. In his first year of work, every officer had to prepare a detailed report on subsistence gardening. However, the demands of cash cropping had priority except in times of emergency (e.g. 'taim hungre' - famine). Very early extension efforts were directed towards village farmers.