Regional Environment Office of the U.S. Embassy in Fiji approves funding for Matuku Island Organic Farming Project
Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Australia: Loving Islands is excited to announce the Matuku Island Organic Farming Project in Fiji has received funding from the U.S. Embassy based in Fiji, through their Regional Environment Office. The funding received from the U.S. Embassy will effectively enable a 13-month organic training program in partnership with the Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) and the island’s development board (also known as a Tikina).
Loving Islands’ founder Litia Kirwin has been working with some of the Matuku Island communities over the past 12-months and is looking forward to continuing work with formal on-island training to commence in August 2016. led by representatives from POETCom. A representative from the Matuku Island Tikina, Mosese Coriakula, has given thanks and acknowledge the challenging aspects of the project still lie ahead, recently stating –
“a big vinaka vaka levu [thank you very much], the challenge is just beginning.. Thanks to all.” – Matuku Island Tikina representative
Loving Islands’ founder Litia Kirwin will be travelling to Fiji this August to assist the Tikina and POETCom with the first instalment of training. More details on the project can be found below along with a direct link to Loving Islands’ Matuku Island fundraiser launched to raise funds to install Internet and provide IT Communications to villages on Matuku Island.
For more information please email contact@lovingislands.com
Project Overview
Matuku Island Organic Framing project has been designed specifically to increase the earning capacity of residents in a long term environmentally sustainable way. The 13-month training program will seek to work in coordination with the local Agriculture Officer in Matuku Island.
Project Goals
- Establish sustainable farming practices across all natural land and marine resources.
- Develop reliable production capacity of organic good and inputs.
- Increase individual and community skills, knowledge base and resilience.
- Increase individual and community incomes through sales of organic produce and products.
- Establish baseline environmental data for ongoing analysis and monitoring (E.g. land use allocation, natural resource quantities, soil health).
- Establish ongoing compliance with organic farming certification requirements.
Loving Islands’ Matuku Island Fundraiser Campaign
Our fundraising campaign is on a mission to help the small Island Village of Levukaidaku, on Matuku Island in Fiji gain access to the world wide web!
All funding will be allocated to the installation of internet at the Adi Babasea primary school in the village of Levukaidaku, Matuku Island, Fiji!
If we are lucky enough to recieve additional funds, these will be allocated towards the setup of a renewable energy support system (E.g. solar panels, inverter, batteries and computers)!
Donations are greatly appreciated and can be made at: https://pozible.com/project/help-matuku-island-grow