In a small town in the Angoram District of East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, innovation is driving positive change along the picturesque banks of the Sepik River. Tina Savinio, the leader of the Kandangapma Women’s Business Group, plays a pivotal role in her community. With the support of the EU-STREIT PNG Program, Tina and her group have significantly improved their nutrition, living standards, and overall well-being.
The EU-STREIT PNG Program provided extensive training in various areas including business management, group dynamics, financial literacy, ICT skills, family farming, and riverine capture fisheries, empowering the Kandangapma Women’s Business Group. As a natural leader, Tina utilized the knowledge gained to enhance her group’s operations. The training not only equipped members with vital information but also fostered a spirit of support and community, bringing back women who had previously left the group with a unified goal of progress.
One of the most notable developments resulting from the EU-STREIT PNG Program is the adoption of the FAO-Thiaroye Technique (FTT) for smoking and drying fish. Tina expressed her satisfaction, stating, “Now that I have this new technology, I feel really good. My business with fish is going well, so I want to thank EU-STREIT for implementing this FTT.” This technology enhances the quality, safety, and marketability of fish, providing a significant boost to the income of fishermen and other individuals in the value chain.
Unlike traditional methods that are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and produce less safe products, the FTT offers a safer, more effective, and environmentally friendly alternative. It conserves natural resources by using less firewood and significantly reduces smoke emissions, improving the working conditions for women. Furthermore, the FTT allows fish to be smoked with less supervision, freeing up time for women to engage in other activities.
Tina noted the challenges faced during the transition, acknowledging that some group members were initially skeptical. “The FTT is good, but people come with different mindsets,” she explained. Despite some departures, many returned after realizing the benefits of the technology, highlighting the importance of a stable team for collective success.
Tina remarked on the resilience of the group: “Some mothers who had left have returned, and we continue working together.” She fondly remembers the excitement surrounding the launch of the FTT, inviting neighbors, friends, and visitors to sample the smoked fish, which helped raise awareness about the technology’s advantages.
Community acceptance and promotion of FTT have been crucial to its success. The benefits are clear—women have honed their time management skills, balancing fish smoking with other responsibilities. Financially, the outcomes are impressive, allowing women to smoke more fish efficiently, resulting in increased sales and a better livelihood.
“We can smoke up to 436 fish in a single day with FTT, filling 4 to 6 baskets that we sell at the market,” Tina noted. “Because of this, our income has greatly increased.” She reported returns of between PGK 600 and PGK 1,000, with higher sales recorded in Maprik and Wewak as satisfied customers return for more.
The achievements of Tina and the Kandangapma Women’s Business Group highlight the power of innovation and community support. Their story demonstrates that with the right assistance, determination, and resolve, positive change is attainable.