JUST a few kilometres outside Goroka town, an integrated farm is taking shape.
The farm has a small-scale piggery set-up, fish ponds, coffee, vanilla, betel nut, poultry and honey bee projects- all grown or set up on a 2.74 hectares land at Seigu in Eastern Highlands.
The farm belongs to Tilda and Steven Tumae. Both are public servants working fulltime but have created this farm over the years through hard work and commitment. What started as a hobby to relieve themselves from stress after work has grown into something they are proud of today.
On Friday, June 12, the Openauka Integrated Farm was launched, witnessed by development partners, families and friends. It was a small but significant event, which showed the dedication of two people who turned a pastime into what is a haven of opportunities for the surrounding communities and their families.
The event saw the launching of the piggery facility, funded by the PNG Agriculture Commercialisation and Diversification (PACD) Project early this year. Among 34 partnerships under the programme who benefited from Component 3.1B Spices and Small Livestock, Openauka was assisted with a funding total of K285,000 to set up the piggery facility.
The farm owner couple acknowledged the support of PACD project and thanked Project Manager Potaisa Hombunaka and his team for assisting Openauka since the establishment of the project.
Tilda Tumae acknowledged the Marape-Rosso Government for supporting such projects through the CIC-PACD. “I am grateful for the assistance to the piggery house. Apart from the support we have received, our farm also has fish ponds, poultry, vanilla, betel nut and coffee. Through this support, it has opened our eyes to see from a different perspective. The project has reached out to the nearby communities including the youth and unfortunate ones.”
She thanked the University of Goroka (UOG) technical students and farm manager for building the foundation of the piggery house and having their team complete it. She also acknowledged the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (now PNG Biosecurity Authority) for providing technical expertise on managing livestock from diseases.
PACD Productive Partnerships Coordinator Alphy Semy said under the project’s component 3.1B for Spices and Small Livestock budget of K6.5m, Openauka was among 17 groups who received assistance.
“All the groups who received funding support were required to have an established set up. The project only stepped into provide support to upgrade the piggery facilities and purchase machineries for the set up.
Semy said 34 partnerships have benefited, and 17 of them were groups like Openauka doing piggery and village poultry. Ten of them are apiculture projects, and seven spice partnerships.
“In terms of funding support, piggery projects took the biggest slice of the funding. We looked at very specific bottlenecks to help them. All partnerships received funding in tranches since last year.”
Semy said some received late funding due to setting up of proper bank accounts and adhering to strict procurement processes.
“This component started mid-2025 with the support of DAL counterparts, advisors and cadets who played an important role in carrying out the projects with partners. He said the PACD project was winding down and they were just above 90 per cent complete and momentum was building up to visit all projects throughout the five participating provinces.
Project Manager Potaisa Hombunaka congratulated Openauka Farm owner Tilda Tumae for working tirelessly with her team to bring the farm to this stage. Hombunaka said the PACD project has helped a number of groups to elevate them to a stage where they are well off and can sustain themselves.
He further stated that the PACD project was ending at the end of June 2026.
A new project is impending and once it comes into full force next year, they will look at assisting groups who are already doing the hard work and showing commitment in their work.
Tilda commended the work of PACD team and partners who have continued to visit and work closely with them providing guidance and advice to date.
“This is a lifetime investment for me, and my grandchildren. This is life changing and creating employment opportunities for the surrounding communities. Young people in our communities are benefiting from this project. There have something worthwhile to do now rather than wasting time on drugs and alcohol.”
For Tilda and her husband, their passion to help their surrounding communities and having a peaceful haven to enjoy have been fulfilled. For the project, the indicators have been achieved, but it is more than that as the project has reached out to more communities creating job opportunities and spin off benefits for them.
Although, there is more work ahead for Openauka Farm, Tilda and her team are satisfied for now and are optimistic about the near future.
- Cora Moabi is the media officer at the Coffee Industry Corporation
