YESDEV Fiji Engages youths of Vanua Levu and Southern Taveuni in Organics for Income
Suva, Fiji: The Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Human Development (YESDev Fiji) Project is now underway in Northern Fiji providing 80 youths with an opportunity to increase their incomes through organic regenerative farm management.
The Project:
The YESDev Fiji Project is an inclusive innovation project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji in partnership with Loving Islands and supported by the Australian Government.
It is a 12-month project, with a multi-local initiative that aims to empower youths with the skills and knowledge to achieve gainful employment or increased income in sustainable agriculture.
The Training:
The 80 youth participants are being provided with practical training in organic regenerative farming, including training in soil ecology, regenerative farm planning & the creation of organic farming inputs – various types of composts, natural fertilisers & weedicides. Integrating sustainable income into the Project is a high priority, with participants also being provided with the financial literacy skills that will enable them to conduct valuations of their farm production by understanding the cost of goods and services for each crop and making financial forecasts of their profit and loss over the coming 12-months, along with frequent risk assessments to ensure farmers are actively protecting and strengthening their resources for the future.
The Outcomes:
The Project is achieving strong results with local income opportunities now identified for the four organic regenerative demonstration farms that have been established across the locations. Participant feedback and attendance has been extremely positive, with participants undertaking significant work during the interim training periods to implement the regenerative farming practices learned in their own farms.
YESDev Fiji Enquiries & Contact:
For more information please see contacts below:
Setaita Tavanabola, Communications Associate, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, tel: 3227 523; email: setaita.tavanabola@undp.org
Litia Kirwin, YESDev Trainer, (Founder/Director) Loving Islands, email: contact@lovingislands.com