Brian Waffi’s journey from courtrooms to cultivated swamplands is more than just a career pivot – it’s a mission to reshape how Papua New Guinea’s youth view agriculture.
“When I was a young boy, I always looked at farmers and saw them as potential billionaires,” Waffi recalls, his lights up with the same passion that drove him to purchase a seemingly worthless swamp area that others dismissed.
What began as a personal agricultural experiment has now blossomed into a comprehensive youth empowerment program that currently supports nearly 400 young people.
Waffi’s farm is not just about growing crops; it’s about growing opportunities.
“Most people think getting an education means sitting in an office,” he explains.
“But with our current employment crisis, we need to reimagine what success looks like.”
His approach is hands-on and holistic.
Young workers are not just laborers but learners, receiving training in farming techniques, market access, and entrepreneurial skills.
They earn a modest income while gaining practical experience that can transform their economic futures.
The farm produces a variety of crops, including bananas, vegetables, and fish, creating a diverse agricultural ecosystem.
But more importantly, it creates a pathway for youth who might otherwise be unemployed or disconnected from economic opportunities.
They’re addressing multiple challenges simultaneously, Waffi says.
Unemployment, food security, and youth empowerment are interconnected, and agriculture can be the solution.
His model is particularly powerful in a country where youth unemployment remains a significant challenge.
By providing practical skills, income, and a sense of purpose, Waffi is doing more than farming – he’s cultivating hope.
The project hasn’t been without challenges.
Operating without government support, Waffi has relied on personal commitment and a vision that sees beyond traditional employment models.
“Sitting in an office pushing papers won’t solve our problems,” he says firmly.
“We need to be on the ground, doing the work, showing young people that agriculture is a viable and dignified career path.”
For many participants, the program represents a lifeline.
Young people from local settlements are learning not just farming skills, but life skills – financial management, teamwork, and entrepreneurial thinking.
As Papua New Guinea continues to grapple with economic challenges, Waffi’s model offers a compelling alternative to traditional employment pathways.
His farm is a living testament to the potential of agricultural innovation and youth empowerment.
“My dream,” he says, “is to inspire 1,000 youth to see farming as more than just a job – but as a way to change their lives and their communities.”
In the fertile grounds of his swamp-turned-farm, that dream is taking root, one crop at a time.