The Building Prosperity for Women Producers, Processors and Women Owned Businesses through Organic Value Chains (BPWP) project partnered with the Office of Commerce, Investment & Tourism (OCIT) of the Marshall Islands and organised a 12-day business planning workshop aimed at building capacity of women involved in agricultural value chains.

The workshop held in Majuro from 8–25 June 2021 provided a platform for the 45 participants to work closely with the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) team to create their business plans that will inform areas the project can support.

OCIT also committed funding to procure farming tools for trainees as incentive and encouragement to continue and advance their agricultural activities and to show support and recognition of their contribution to the agricultural sector.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for the participants to learn more about organic agriculture. The Marshall Islands Organic Farmers Association (MIOFA) conducted sessions on best practices in the agricultural sector and introduction to organic agriculture. MIOFA is a member of POETCom and focal point in the Marshall Islands. Participants showed keen interest in the work of POETCom and MIOFA and have since requested additional training workshops on organic agriculture that the BPWP project team is currently organising with OCIT and MIOFA.

The BPWP project works with individuals, families, businesses, communities, industry, government, civil society and development partners in the Pacific to promote gender equality and achieve the overall goal of women having access to improved and sustainable livelihoods through participation in organic value chains.

The Building Prosperity for Women Producers, Processors and Women Owned Businesses through Organic Value Chains (BPWP) project is a 4-year project that supports the economic empowerment of women in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau, by developing value chains that will benefit women as producers and suppliers of raw materials, value adders/processors or business owners. It is supported by the Australian Government in partnership with Pacific women and will be implemented by POETCom.