Simbu farmers appeal for continued support as MVF project nears completion

Lead aggregator, John Kawage, assisted by casual helpers packing carrots, potato and other fresh vegetables at Papindo in Lae. The vegetables were supplied by his contact farmers from Gembogl. *(Supplied)*

Local farmers in Simbu Province are calling on stakeholders to establish follow-up assistance programs as the Market for Village Farmers (MVF) project prepares to end operations this September.

Funded to help smallholder farmers shift from subsistence farming to market-driven agribusiness, the MVF initiative has impacted an estimated 25,000 farming households, or around 125,000 people across six provinces.

In Simbu, the project has delivered significant economic growth. But farmers say without continued institutional support, the progress made could be lost.

Operating under a Public-Private-Producer Partnership model, MVF provided capacity building, infrastructure support and financial grants that allowed rural families to reinvest in their homes and local economies.

Kawage, a veteran fresh produce aggregator, based at Igam in Lae buys from his lead farmers and
contact farmers. (Supplied)

A potato farmer from Yuai in Kundiawa-Gembogl District and father of two, Willie Peter, said the project was a turning point.

"Through the assistance from the MVF project, I managed to build a permanent home for my family costing K18,000, while also comfortably covering my children’s school fees," Peter said.

Fellow farmer Jacinta Essy used the support to diversify into business.

"The MVF initiative gave me the financial leverage to build and open my own trade store valued at K20,000, securing a steady secondary income for my household, "Essy said.

According to Provincial Coordinator for MVF in Simbu and Officer-in-Charge at the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA), David Kaupa, led the country in implementation with 10 lead partners and over 3,800 lead farmers.

Key achievements in Simbu include:

- K3 million+ disbursed to more than 1,333 households across eight active partnerships

- 1,326 tonnes increase in local produce output, generating K2.3 million in direct revenue

- Contact Farmer Grants of K4,080 for agro-inputs under a 70/30 co-funding model

- Lead Farmer Grants of K10,000+ for high-tech tools including solar irrigation and walk-behind tractors

- Transport support to four lead commercial partners

- Financial literacy, crop production and nutrition training for over 3,000 households

- Major feeder road upgrades including Las Wara Road in Sinesine-Yongomugl and Awagle–Dindim Road in Kerowagi, set to connect over 4,000 households across four wards to markets

Mr. Kaupa said the program successfully equipped farmers with self-sustaining skills. However, community leaders say the demand for structured support remains high.

With the September closure approaching, Simbu farmers are urging government and development partners to replicate the 4P model in future rural development programs to ensure the next generation of smallholders can achieve similar financial independence.