Western Australian farming women mentor counterparts from East Java

A group of Indonesian women are touring Western Australia to share farming experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the potential role for women in agriculture.

The tour is part of a unique mentoring program, Empowering Women in Agriculture – Australia and Indonesia, bringing farming women from Western Australia and East Java together to develop skills to enhance their businesses and industries.

The program is supported by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) and East Java Government.

DAFWA Livestock Industries Executive Director Kevin Chennell welcomed a delegation of 10 businesswomen from seven locations across East Java to Perth yesterday.

During the week, they will tour farming and processing operations in the Great Southern, South West and Kimberley, covering many aspects of agriculture and food production including livestock, wool, eggs, oats, dairy and horticulture.

The project, which is being managed by WA-based company Influential Women, will contribute directly to developing links at a grass roots level.

Dr Chennell said the project aimed to provide a cross-culture knowledge-sharing opportunity that would empower farming businesswomen in both Indonesia and in WA.

“Food production plays an important role in Indonesia, with more than 60 per cent of Indonesia’s population involved directly with agriculture,” he said.

“Western Australian and Indonesia have strong agrifood trade links. This project is about building positive, meaningful relationships with our neighbours and close trading partners.”

Influential Women’s Managing Director Catherine Marriott said “this project is a fantastic opportunity to break down barriers and empower women to be brilliant change agents for the future advancement of agriculture at home and abroad.”

The visit by the group reciprocates a visit by seven Western Australian farm businesswomen to East Java in June 2014.

Media contacts:

Jodie Thomson/Lisa Bertram, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937

Kevin Chennell, Livestock Industries Executive Director +61 (0)8 9368 3554

(Tour details) Carly Brooks, Influential Women +61 407 305 900