Youth Training: Farming as a Pathway to Employment

PORT MORESBY — For many young Papua New Guineans, the dream of a steady job can feel out of reach. But one grassroots leader believes there’s another way forward: farming not just as survival, but as a pathway to real employment and self-reliance.

That leader is Brian Waffi, a former legal professional who traded his courtroom career for a passion to empower youth through agriculture. Over the past two years, his vision has transformed the lives of hundreds of young people across Port Moresby.

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800 Youth Trained, and Counting

Through aquaculture ponds in Joyce Bay, poultry sheds in Dogura, and crop gardens across the city, Waffi has trained over 800 young men and women in practical, income-generating skills.

The model is simple but powerful:

1. Teach youth to farm (fish, poultry, pigs, crops).
2. Help them form cooperatives to pool resources.
3. Guide them into self-employment through weekend markets and local buyers.

“I want young people to see farming not as a last resort, but as a chance to change their lives and communities,” Waffi said. His long-term goal? To inspire 1,000 youth to see agriculture as a career, not just a chore.

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Building Livelihoods, One Cooperative at a Time

The results are already visible. Settlements in Gerehu, Morata, and Hohola have youth-run cooperatives producing food for their own communities and for city markets.

These are not just farms—they are training grounds for livelihoods. Instead of depending on scarce formal jobs, youth are learning to become entrepreneurs, providers, and leaders in their settlements.

Local residents benefit too: fresh produce, poultry, and fish are now more affordable and accessible thanks to these community-driven initiatives.

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Beyond Jobs: Sustaining Futures

This training movement is part of a larger vision, backed recently by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), one of the world’s largest cooperative bodies. ICA leaders see PNG as a place where grassroots initiatives can grow into national models of youth employment.

For many young people struggling to find work, cooperatives offer a powerful message: opportunities exist beyond the office and the mine site. With farming and collective effort, livelihoods can be created close to home.

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Why This Matters for PNG’s Youth

Youth unemployment is one of PNG’s greatest challenges, fueling inequality and social risks. Initiatives like Waffi’s bring practical hope—showing that skills, teamwork, and local resources can create opportunities even without formal job openings.

This is not charity. It’s not temporary. It’s a sustainable pathway to employment that young Papua New Guineans can build for themselves.

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📌 This article is Part 1 of the “Beyond Jobs” series, exploring youth livelihood opportunities in Papua New Guinea.
🔗 Next in the series: Cooperatives — The Silent Job Creators of PNG

Disclaimer note: This article is generated by AI using the original post on Facebook by Brian Wafi

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