Matuku Island continues to progress organic development in Fiji’s Eastern island division with over 120 organic producers registering over 5,000 acres for organic land management.
Key Project Outcomes
- 120+ organic producers now registered through the Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community
- 5,000+ acres of land registered for organic land management
- Women empowerment through 64% of total producers being female
- Increased biodiversity of local flora (I.e. bananas, sweet potato, tomatoes, ginger, corn, vanilla) and fauna (I.e. honey bees)
- New community legal entity created ~ the Matuku Island Organic Farmers’ Co-Operative Ltd.
- New income stream achieved through sale of organic virgin coconut oil. Current revenue of $15,000+ per year with a target of $96,000 by December 2018 from a diversified organic food product range.
Suva, Fiji: The Matuku Island Organic Farming Project (Phase 1) has now come to an end with Session 4 on-island training being completed in August 2017.
The Project has continued to receive widespread support and sales momentum with organic producers from the 7 villages of the island collectively generating new monthly income of FJ$1,300 from the production and sale of organic virgin coconut oil. While the current new income totals FJ$15,600 over the year, sustainable income from the Project is expected to reach an average of FJ$8,000 per month, or FJ$96,000 per year after the construction of micro-processing units as part of Phase 2 of the Project.
What’s Next
With over 120 organic producers now registered for organic food production, Phase 2 of the Project will be diversification of the island’s organic food product range, improvement of food manufacturing health and safety, financial literacy and sales & marketing development. Phase 2 of the Project is scheduled to run from October 2017 to December 2018.
Thank You!
Thank you once again to all partners of the Matuku Island Organic Farming Project (Phase 1). Specifically the U.S. Embassy’s Regional Environment Office in Suva, the Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community (POETCom), and the Centre for Pacific Crops & Trees (CePaCT).
Support the Matuku Island Organic Farmers’ Co-Operative Ltd.
Buy organic virgin coconut oil and other organic and natural island goods at our online store.
Enquiries:
For more information or enquiries please email contact@lovingislands.com