AS the country looks forward to celebrating the 50th Independence, many rural communities are returning to the land in their plight to break the cycle of poverty through community initiatives and empowerment.
One of such community is Asena Mage community of the Ward 11 in East Okapa Rural Local Level government in Okapa district, Eastern Highlands Province.
The battle against poverty is a challenge brought about by lack of government services like road access, healthcare facility and law and order issues at the village level and among the people.
Mane Community Development Association Incorporated Chairman Samuel Ataya said this however, gave rise to innovation where the local people turn to form associations and agriculture to improve their lives.
“For us people, only potential we see is agriculture,” Ataya said.
“We are going into vegetable farming using the Associations as a platform where government can step in and assist us. We have the potential, and government can step in so we can have quality produce.”
He said they believe that through Agriculture services like health, education and better roads can reach them.
Moreover, a local community representative said in the past they use gardening to survive and the practice is till alive and agriculture is part of it despite lack of government support.
“We are in the dark and there is no one that will assist us. We keep pushing for our students to get educated and return and help us.”
He said although law and order is still a concern in the area, their venture into small scale farming is a step in the right direction to attract government help.
He also added that one of their main cause for concern is the travel to the nearest town market. It takes about three hours to get to Goroka Town at the cost of K30 transport fee or the nearest Kainantu town at a cost of K20. The dirt road leading to the rural community is yet a challenge for the people.
