In a bid to boost organic farming in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture supplied 100tonnes of compost to 33 communities in the Central and Western divisions.
FIji’s Minister for Agriculture Mahendra Reddy said the ministry also launched its first organic compost site in Nabukadra in Ra earlier this year.
“In 2020, an Organic taskforce was established to finalize the National Organic Policy for Fiji and I would like to acknowledge POETCOM (Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community) which has been instrumental in supporting development of Fiji’s first,” he said.
“National Organic Policy as well as Fiji Organic brand that was launched in 2018 to guide and set standards for Fiji and the Pacific,” he said.
“Currently there are a total of 220,000 hectares of certified organic land in nine Pacific Island countries whereby 17 per cent is located in Fiji.
“In addition, there are over 900 certified organic growers in Fiji producing commodities such as noni products, tumeric, ginger, vanilla, kava, dalo, cassava, sandalwood, citrus, cocoa beans, lemon grass, passion fruit and coconut products.”
He said regional countries could produce premium organic products.
“For a small country like Fiji and the Pacific, with small production base, differentiating its product, as organic, in the export market will allow us to fetch premium price as well as stake claim in the organic market for our produce.”
Pacific Community (SPC) Land Resources Division director Karen Mapusua said their involvement began in 2006 at the request of regional heads of agriculture to support the organic farming movement.
“Two years later, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movement (IFOAM) provided financial and technical assistance for developing the Pacific Organic Standard (POS) which was endorsed by the regions leaders during the Pacific Forum Islands leaders annual meeting in Niue,” she said.
“As with all organic standards, it is a work in progress, they are not static and 10 years down the track with the POS being used in different Pacific contexts it was time to refresh elements and further develop guidance for its implementation, while importantly ensuring that its Pacific regional relevancy is maintained.”
