Economic Development

During the last three decades, Papua has undergone significant economic growth however the number of people living in poverty and in severe poverty has also increased. There is also a huge income-welfare gap between people in rural and urban areas.

The largest contributors to the economy of Papua are mining and agriculture although both play vastly different roles. Mining provides most of the income for the for the province but only uses about 0.6 percent of the workforce whereas agriculture accounts for 75 percent of the workforce but only generates about 19 percent of the GRDP due to low productivity. Most of the agriculture is traditional farming and hunter gatherer systems. There are also more intensive forms of cultivation that produce cash crops such as coconut, cacao, cloves, nutmeg, cashews, palm oil and rubber but very little of this includes or benefits native Papuans.

The local economy in towns is generally dominated by migrants and there are few native Papuans who run or own their own business. This is due to both lack of opportunities and lack of capacity in business management.  In more rural areas economic development is again severely limited by capacity but also poor transport facilities and access to credit.

Building Capacity of Women's Co-Operatives
Women have a position at the bottom of society and still in many places within traditional culture they are considered below the pigs in order of priority. They are the ones with the lowest literacy and poorest health. They understand least about the rapid changes in the society around them and hence are much more vulnerable to the negative impacts of these changes. However, within the rapidly moving situation men are often absent and there is no one to make gardens, or to bring in money so often family survival depends on the women.

Since June 2007 Yasumat and Papua Partners have been working with women in the District of Ninia in Yahukimo to help them in the first stages of income generation activities.  A women's cooperative was initiated working which brings together 12 villages.  In each village women are raising rabbits and have started a small business selling bread or sweet potato & onion snacks.  The women also receive training in basic business skills and are hoping to start savings groups within the next few months.

Papua Partners Limited is registered in England and Wales No, 05539947
Charity Registered No. 1117275