#CHOOSETOCHALLENGE WITH AIONA MATAELE

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.