Farmer – Chef speed dating at Pacific Agritourism week 2015

“What would you require from me? What can I get my network to grow for you? What is more convenient for you? “, Maria Linibi, President of Papua New Guinea Women in Agriculture asked as she went on her date. Wait! Date? Who asks these kinds of questions on a date? Of course, everyone thinks of a date as the first steps to a long-lasting relationship. Well, Maria did go on a date, but it was not the typical ordinary date that we know. This was a speed-dating – “farmer-chef” version. Every 10 minutes, each farmer had to swap to another chef, and the dating process continued. Maria is one example of a farmer network representative. Her questions were directed to Elizabeth Sibisopere, a budding entrepreneur who owns and runs her Catering Company called “Local Spot” and is also a pâtissier by profession, with and over 10 years of Hotel Industry Experience.

The two ladies engaged in the 10-minutes’ conversation, exchanging on challenges faced, requirements, successes, networking opportunities and advise. By the end of the date, email and mobile contacts were exchanged, hands shaken and Elizabeth moved on to her next farmer, while Maria welcomed her new 10-minutes’ date Chef. In the room, you can see the bubbly interactions taking place between these two groups of the different ends of the value chain. It is one thing telling our farmers to think “AgriBusiness” but how much of the Business part do they know? Rosivela, from the Fiji Crops and Livestock Council (FCLC) pointed out that many farmers lack book-keeping skills, financial literacy and business management skills. He stated that farmers need to be educated in these areas prior to being exposed to open markets, so that they are able to better manage their agribusiness. Many fail to plan and when off-season comes, there is nothing to supply. Managing their business gives them opportunities to invest for the off-season, such as purchasing a greenhouse.

See more via CTA's blog: http://blogs.cta.int/2015/07/02/farmer-chef-speed-dating/