Annual flower show hailed - hosted by the East New Britain Women and Youth in Agriculture Cooperative Association (ENBWYIACA)

The 2nd Annual Flower Show hosted by the East New Britain Women and Youth in Agriculture Cooperative Association (ENBWYIACA) has been described as 'bigger and better'.
Held on the last week of July at Vunapope Catholic Church Hall, the event coincided with the public launching of the association which comprises 15 cooperative associations in the province.
Most of the associations include women and youth whose livelihoods depend directly on agriculture.
According to a number of people who attended the two-day show, this year's event had more groups displaying their products and many people flocked to the arena to buy flowers and plants, meet, share and exchange information as well as join in the celebrations.
About 13 stalls of various shapes and sizes were built by the women with the help of their men folk and children to accommodate their potted plants, seedlings and cut flowers as well as arts and crafts and local produce, especially taro.
When explaining the purpose of the flower show, manager for the cooperatives Kiteni Kurika said the association aims to empower women to contribute to their family incomes through various agricultural activities such as floriculture.
Floriculture attracted women easily as many are hobby farmers and it was an eye opener for them to realise that their beautiful creations in their backyards can be an alternative income. She appealed to business houses and the people of East New Britain to see the potential of the smallholder flower growers and give them the opportunity to tap into the tourism market by engaging them to beautify Rabaul town.
There was competition for flower growers to have their cut flowers and orchids as well as floral arrangements judged by various nominated persons.
The second day of the show included selling of cultivars as well as exchange of materials to continue the age-old Melanesian tradition of the barter system. Women also provided entertainment in the form of traditional and choral singing, creative dances and drama.
Carol Misiel, a flower grower and leader of the Josein Women's Cooperative from Tinginagalip village, was appreciative of the cooperatives for creating an avenue for flower lovers to earn money from their flowers which initially was just a means of beautifying the home. She is one of few farmers who had been growing flowers for a long time and has established a nursery at her home at Tinginagalip. Mrs Misiel is looking at contracting her plants to any business houses in town who are interested.
Louisa Setawo of Warangoi Women and Youth in Agriculture Cooperative Society said when the Cocoa Pod Borer affected the province's main source of income, cocoa, it caused women to look at alternatives and floriculture seemed the most appropriate as it easy for women to cultivate, manage, transport to market and a good money earner.
It was a memorable, fun-filled two days for the women who went away very satisfied. For many, it was the first time that they received or earned money from the sale of flowers and plants. They expressed that they will prepare more plants and plant more flowers so that they will bring more to the show next year. In the meantime, they are looking at flooding the Kokopo market to continue generating income for the floriculture business.