Coffee production is the backbone of the rural economy in the Highlands, with an estimated 2.5 million Papua New Guineans relying on coffee as their main source of income. Yet many areas in which coffee is produced are disadvantaged, largely subsistence-farming dependent, rural areas. Women in these areas suffer disproportionately from poverty.
The CARE implemented Coffee Industry Support Project ($4.5 million 2015-2019) works with private sector exporters and cooperatives to improve the services provided to coffee farmers so that they are inclusive of women and address social constraints to coffee production. These social constraints include that families lack the relevant business and financial management skills, women do not access extension services, and families are not currently working together effectively to maximise productivity and quality.
In 2017, a mid-term evaluation of the Project was undertaken by the Pacific Women Support Unit. The Project was assessed using a value for money framework that considered the four dimensions of economy, efficiency, effectiveness and ethics. The project ranked high and satisfactory across all four dimensions and was found to be good value for money and meeting its objectives. It was found to have increased women’s access to training and extension services; and improved family business management practices with evidence that coffee farming families are working together more effectively and benefiting from coffee production and income
