Overview
To engage in the modern agricultural economy and move towards sustainable family livelihoods, ACIAR has supported research through its Social Systems Program to understand and test processes to help farming families in Papua New Guinea move from subsistence practices to more business-oriented practices.
Running from 2012 to 2016, the project 'Examining women's business acumen in Papua New Guinea: Working with women smallholders in horticulture' (ASEM/2010/052), led by the University of Canberra, aimed to improve the uptake and impact of training and small business development of women smallholder vegetable producers, given their importance as agricultural producers and cornerstones of family livelihoods.
The 'Maria's family' books were developed by the project as a learning resource. The picture-book style presents key messages that are evidence-based and drawn from research findings. The story is built on the concept of a family team where women and men share decision-making about the farm and family. The text is presented in English and Tok Pisin.
Through 'Maria’s family' parents can engage in reading activities with their children while the books reinforce smallholder farm business principles. In many cases, the books also help develop literacy skills of both adults and children.
Hard copies of the book are distributed to community organisations and learning groups in rural areas of Papua New Guinea.
Other titles in the series
Maria's family saves their kina
Maria's family raises chickens
Maria's family goes to market - Western Highlands edition | East New Britain edition
Maria's Family Team
Maria's family plans for a new baby
Maria's family grows galip
