Happy International Women’s Day! To mark #IWD2021, #PHAMAPlus is this week celebrating some of the leading women it works with. Dr Monika Devi, a veterinarian at the Biosecurity of Fiji (BAF) works closely with PHAMA Plus in safeguarding Fiji against African Swine Fever (ASF) – a viral pig killing disease. In this video, she tells you what #ChooseToChallenge means for her and what its like in her role! PHAMA Plus is proud to work with women and men staff of Pacific biosecurity authorities perform their market access facilitation functions better.

Kusuta is a watermelon grower from the village of Tatakamotonga in #Tongatapu, #Tonga. Married to Sosefo Amone with 7 beautiful children, the couple runs a family farming business – where everyone is involved and has equal roles. They supply watermelons to Nishi Trading for the export markets. “I draw inspiration and support from my husband. Farming for us is a partnership as a family where everyone is involved and has a role to play both at the farm and also at the local market,” Kusuta says.

Aiona is a root crop grower from the village of Kolonga and works for Lotopoha Export Trading in Tonga. As the head of her household, she is committed to farming – a source of livelihood for her family. “Women can do any job if they can dedicate to it,” Aiona says. “There’s a lot of perception that farming is for men, and women are to do household chores, but women can work in the farm if they are given the opportunity.” #PHAMAPlus supports men and women root crop growers like Aiona under a partnership with Lotopoha aimed at improving the productivity of root crops in Tonga. The partnership, supported by #Australia and #NewZealand, provides good agricultural practice (GAP) advice for growers as well as trial plots for better yield and production techniques.