World Rural Forum

“I love seeing women achieve financial control and independence within their households. Together with my late husband, Don, I founded South Sea Orchids, an orchid business through which we developed an outgrower programme that trained village women to grow flowers and supply them to us. But our journey was never just about flowers. The basic premise of my idea was to empower local women through training, employment and business opportunities. Being a woman in agriculture means navigating what has historically been a male-dominated field. Accessing finance has been a massive hurdle for many of the women I have worked with. When I started training women farmers to run their own small florist businesses, they struggled to secure start-up loans because bankers simply trusted men more. I had to knock on many doors. The banks did not believe the women would repay their loans, but they proved them wrong: not only did they pay off their debts, but they went on to secure even more financing. Seeing what these women have been able to achieve continues to be a constant source of inspiration for me. Yet we still desperately need systems that improve women’s access to financial capital. Furthermore, there must be supportive frameworks for business and agricultural training specifically targeted at vulnerable groups — such as single mothers, women living with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence. That is what I am truly passionate about: the broader impact of our work. We are not just growing flowers or agricultural products; we are nurturing communities, preserving traditions, and paving the way for future generations. I want women entrepreneurs to know that the journey will certainly have its challenges, but with determination, passion and adaptability, they can build something truly remarkable. My name is Aileen Burness, I am Chair of the Pacific Farmer Organisations (PFO), and it is an honour to hold this responsibility during the 2026 United Nations International Year of the Woman Farmer.”



Funded by the European Union

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