Thinking Like a Business: Financial Literacy for PNG Farmers
A Story from Abau District
Maria is a farmer from Abau District. Like many families, she grows bananas, pineapples, and cassava. Every week she takes her produce to the local market.
But Maria faced a common problem:
-
She had to sell quickly, even when prices were low.
-
If she waited too long, bananas ripened and spoiled.
-
Sometimes she lost almost half a crate before it reached the market.
Maria worked hard, but her income was always low.
A New Way of Thinking
One day, Maria joined other farmers in using a solar cold room near the market. Instead of selling her pineapples immediately, she stored them for a small pay-per-crate fee.
-
She paid K10 to store a crate.
-
A few days later, when demand was higher, she sold the same crate for K50 more than before.
-
After the storage fee, Maria still made K40 extra profit per crate.
For Maria, this was a big change. She didn’t need to borrow money for school fees. She could plan better for her family.
Lessons for Abau Farmers
1. Treat Farming Like a Business
Farming is not just about planting — it’s about making smart financial decisions. Think about:
-
Costs: How much you spend on seeds, tools, and transport.
-
Sales: What prices you get at the market.
-
Profit: What is left after costs and storage fees.
2. Use Cold Storage to Protect Income
Solar cold rooms help farmers in Abau:
-
Keep bananas, cassava, and pineapples fresh for longer.
-
Wait for better prices instead of selling cheap.
-
Reduce waste and increase income.
3. Work Together
When farmers in Abau store produce together, everyone benefits. More produce reaches markets in Port Moresby or Lae in good condition, and buyers are willing to pay higher prices for quality.
4. Save and Plan Ahead
With more profit, farmers can set aside money for:
-
School fees
-
Health costs
-
Better seeds and tools for the next season
Even small savings give security and confidence for the future.
Final Message for Abau Farmers
Farmers like Maria are proving that small changes can make a big difference. By using solar cold rooms and paying a small fee per crate, Abau farmers can waste less, earn more, and plan better. Farming becomes not just a way to survive, but a strong business that supports the whole family.