An organic agriculture development movement is underway across the remote Lauan island of Matuku in South East Fiji. A recent trip to the island raised awareness of the environmental benefits of organic agriculture and the various market opportunities, resulting in over 500 acres being nominated for organic agricultural purposes between the villages of Levukaidaku and Qalikarua. A formal certification process is being planned for 2016, with more villages to be approached for involvement. Many thanks to the Fiji Spice Gardens in Wainadoi and the Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) for their assistance in the movement so far.
Organic agricultural developments have begun to gain momentum in Fiji, with the Lauan island of Cicia receiving whole-island organic certification earlier this year. Certification was achieved under POETCom’s Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), which complies to the Pacific Organic Standard developed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Land Resources Division, International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Notes and sources:
* Image: Levukaidaku village, Matuku. by Litia Kirwin
* Fiji Spice Gardens, website
* International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM), website
* International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), website
* Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community (POETCom), website
* Pacific Organic Standard, file download
* Organic Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), outline
* Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Land Resources Division, website