Poultry program strengthens market access for ENB
05 May 2026
Women and youth farmers under the East New Britain Women and Youth in Agriculture (ENBWYIA) are experiencing new economic opportunities through a growing poultry initiative that guarantees a ready market for their chickens.
The initiative ensures that farmers no longer face uncertainty in selling their produce, as birds are collected, processed, and sold once they reach market weight. This development is transforming small-scale poultry farming into a reliable and profitable venture, particularly empowering women and young people across the province.
With secure market access in place, more households are now confidently participating in poultry farming, knowing their efforts will translate into steady income. The program has effectively removed one of the key barriers faced by rural producers—unpredictable market demand—and is encouraging greater involvement in agriculture.
The initiative is driven by the Papua New Guinea Agriculture Commercialization and Diversification (PACD) Project, supported by the Government of Papua New Guinea and the World Bank. Beyond connecting farmers to markets, the project is strengthening local capacity through the distribution of day-old chicks, hands-on training, and ongoing technical support.
A key component of this partnership is the near-completion of a poultry processing facility (mini-abattoir), which will enable farmers to fully complete the poultry value chain.
The facility, located at Hidden Sanctuary in Ramale Ward, Kokopo District, has been developed to serve over 500 poultry farmers participating in the program.
Now 99 percent complete, the facility will soon be operational once all required certifications are secured from the relevant authorities. This development will ensure that chickens are processed locally to proper standards, further strengthening market access and increasing returns for farmers.
Since November 2025, ENBWYIA teams have coordinated the distribution of chicks to communities across Kokopo, Warangoi, and the Inland Baining areas. Farmers were carefully identified and grouped ahead of the rollout, with priority given to women and youth already engaged in or interested in small-scale agriculture.
Participants received basic training in poultry management prior to receiving their chicks. The training covered essential areas such as brooding, feeding, housing, and disease prevention to improve survival rates and productivity. Project officers also travelled to remote communities to ensure equitable access and provided ongoing guidance on proper shelter setup and early-stage care.
For many participants, what was once backyard farming has evolved into a dependable source of income. Farmers are successfully raising chickens to market weight within a short period, with some producing birds weighing up to 3.5 kilograms, meeting local market demand.
Beyond income generation, the initiative is equipping farmers with modern agricultural skills, boosting their confidence and encouraging a more business-oriented approach to farming. Families involved in the program are already reporting improvements in nutrition, financial stability, and overall livelihoods.
ENBWYIA Executive Manager, Kiteni Kurika, highlighted the positive impact the initiative is having on farmers and communities, noting that improved market access and infrastructure development are key to sustaining long-term growth in the sector.
ENWBYIA has invited the PMU team last week to visit the facility to appreciate and share the excitement as the partnership. While the PACD Project is officially closing in June 2026, the ENBWYIA as a Lead Partner, has ceased its operational activities as of 30th of April due to no more project funds.
PMU congratulate the partnership and has commended ENBWYIA for its effective implementation of the program, describing it as a successful model of community-driven agricultural development.
The initiative continues to demonstrate how targeted support in agriculture can empower rural communities, strengthen local economies, and create lasting opportunities for women and youth in East New Britain.
The initiative ensures that farmers no longer face uncertainty in selling their produce, as birds are collected, processed, and sold once they reach market weight. This development is transforming small-scale poultry farming into a reliable and profitable venture, particularly empowering women and young people across the province.
With secure market access in place, more households are now confidently participating in poultry farming, knowing their efforts will translate into steady income. The program has effectively removed one of the key barriers faced by rural producers—unpredictable market demand—and is encouraging greater involvement in agriculture.
The initiative is driven by the Papua New Guinea Agriculture Commercialization and Diversification (PACD) Project, supported by the Government of Papua New Guinea and the World Bank. Beyond connecting farmers to markets, the project is strengthening local capacity through the distribution of day-old chicks, hands-on training, and ongoing technical support.
A key component of this partnership is the near-completion of a poultry processing facility (mini-abattoir), which will enable farmers to fully complete the poultry value chain.
The facility, located at Hidden Sanctuary in Ramale Ward, Kokopo District, has been developed to serve over 500 poultry farmers participating in the program.
Now 99 percent complete, the facility will soon be operational once all required certifications are secured from the relevant authorities. This development will ensure that chickens are processed locally to proper standards, further strengthening market access and increasing returns for farmers.
Since November 2025, ENBWYIA teams have coordinated the distribution of chicks to communities across Kokopo, Warangoi, and the Inland Baining areas. Farmers were carefully identified and grouped ahead of the rollout, with priority given to women and youth already engaged in or interested in small-scale agriculture.
Participants received basic training in poultry management prior to receiving their chicks. The training covered essential areas such as brooding, feeding, housing, and disease prevention to improve survival rates and productivity. Project officers also travelled to remote communities to ensure equitable access and provided ongoing guidance on proper shelter setup and early-stage care.
For many participants, what was once backyard farming has evolved into a dependable source of income. Farmers are successfully raising chickens to market weight within a short period, with some producing birds weighing up to 3.5 kilograms, meeting local market demand.
Beyond income generation, the initiative is equipping farmers with modern agricultural skills, boosting their confidence and encouraging a more business-oriented approach to farming. Families involved in the program are already reporting improvements in nutrition, financial stability, and overall livelihoods.
ENBWYIA Executive Manager, Kiteni Kurika, highlighted the positive impact the initiative is having on farmers and communities, noting that improved market access and infrastructure development are key to sustaining long-term growth in the sector.
ENWBYIA has invited the PMU team last week to visit the facility to appreciate and share the excitement as the partnership. While the PACD Project is officially closing in June 2026, the ENBWYIA as a Lead Partner, has ceased its operational activities as of 30th of April due to no more project funds.
PMU congratulate the partnership and has commended ENBWYIA for its effective implementation of the program, describing it as a successful model of community-driven agricultural development.
The initiative continues to demonstrate how targeted support in agriculture can empower rural communities, strengthen local economies, and create lasting opportunities for women and youth in East New Britain.
