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Organic farming solutions in Vanuatu and Fiji

Peter Willie and Setaita Naitu live in different countries, cultural contexts, speak different languages and have dissimilar cuisine. One is a young man from Vanuatu, the other a maiden from Fiji. Nevertheless, their one commonality is that they are both organic youth farmers and participants of the Engaging Vanuatu and Fiji Youth in Organic Farming — A Value Chains Approach project.

The project is implemented by the partnership the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) of the Land Resources Division of the Pacific Community (SPC) with the Sustainable Development Goal Fund, the United Nations Development Programme in the Pacific, Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprise and Development (FRIEND - for Fiji) and Farm Support Association of Vanuatu.

The International Fund also provides support for project implementation for Agricultural Development and the ministries of agriculture in both countries.

The two-year project that started in 2016 encourages targeted communities in Saivou district in Ra province in Fiji and on Tanna and Efate Islands in Vanuatu to take up organic farming and supply value chains, from the farm to a person's table.

The organic farming system promotes soil health and forbids the use of harmful chemical pesticides, fertilisers and practices like burning. Instead, only natural inputs are allowed. Aside Willie farms at the foot of Mount Yasur, an ancient volcano, high up near the clouds, in the mountains of Tanna Island. The volcanic ash Yasur daily blows over the landscape makes the soil rich and fertile. Until she decides to give acid rain, and Willie rushes to save his crops.

Read more at The Fiji Times
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