In a first for Fiji and the South Pacific, a new vegetable research project has been launched to identify strategies to strengthen food production and manufacture in the region.
Australian researchers for the Pacific Agricultural Research for Development (*PARDI) initiative, coordinated by The University of Queensland (UQ), are leading the team conducting the research which is being carried out in partnership with the Fijian Government and local industry.
Fiji has moved to boost local vegetable production and ultimately improve food security in the region following escalating food imports and a decline in local farming.
The new vegetable research initiative was kick-started in mid-2012 during a two-day hands-on workshop, hosted by the Fiji Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) Sigatoka Research Station.
Industry participants, from growers through to hoteliers and policy makers, were given the opportunity to gain insight into each others’ activities and review how they operate as members of the "vegetable production chain".
The project aims to establish participatory guarantee systems (PGS) across Fiji to enable industry to work cooperatively to produce quality, reliable supplies of vegetables.
PGS operates on the principle that knowledge and coordinated effort is power. PGS is focused on organic production to overcome third party certification constraints
PARDI PGS vegetable project member, Suzanne Neave (from the AVRDC - World Vegetable Centre), said one of the key activities of the workshop was to "walk the chain".
“Participants at the introductory workshop had the opportunity to experience parts of the chain that they would not normally be exposed,” she said.
“Attendance at our initial workshop was strong. We had growers from Sigatoka Valley, Coral Coast and Koronivia, staff from local resorts, middle men, MPI extension and research staff, University of the South Pacific staff, and university research staff from Australia.
“Exchange of information between buyers and sellers is one of the fundamental components of PGS.
“Overwhelmingly, workshop attendees were amazed by how little they knew about each other’s operations and this was reinforced by some of their comments.”
As part of the PARDI PGS vegetable project, one of the first activities will be to look into post-harvest losses.
Recent studies conducted by PARDI showed that tomato losses post-harvest are as high as 58 percent, which is a similar figure for eggplant and ball cabbage.
According to PARDI project leader, Jennifer Carter, PGS has the capacity to reduce losses, improve grower returns and increase the quality of the final produce.
“If through our combined efforts we can change how produce is handled from the farm to the plate, everybody will be a winner,” she said.
PARDI is coordinated by The University of Queensland and funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
PGS project participants include commercial growers and food manufactures from across Fiji, AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Fiji Ministry of Primary Industries, Fiji National University, the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and researchers from other associated PARDI and ACIAR projects.
For media, more information, photographs or comment from workshop participants, please contact Julie Lloyd, PARDI Communications, 0415 799 890 or Project Leader, Jennifer Carter 61 + 7 + 5430 1238 or jcarter@usc.edu.au
PARDI Background
* PARDI — ‘Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative’ — commenced in February 2010. The project is coordinated by The University of Queensland and funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). PARDI seeks to create sustainable livelihood development outcomes for the South Pacific forestry, fisheries and crop-based sectors. Scientists undertake supply-chain and market-driven research to identify constraints that impede local economic development. Research is aimed at achieving tangible solutions, such as new skills for locals, new technologies and product options.
PARDI is a partnership that involves The University of Queensland under the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of the South Pacific, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, University of Adelaide, James Cook University, The University of the Sunshine Coast, the Queensland Government’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and Southern Cross University.
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