A flourishing agribusiness sector is vital for sustainable economic growth in the Pacific Island countries. It is central to reducing poverty, especially in rural communities, and delivering an improved trade balance.
Within the broader goal of economic and enterprise development, the Pacific Agribusiness Research in Development Initiative - Phase 2 (PARDI 2) project aimed to improve Pacific livelihoods, through helping smallholder farmers transition to more sustainable, market-oriented and diversified systems that focus on value-adding and agribusiness opportunities, inclusive of recognition of the role of women in agriculture.
The PARDI 2 team undertook case studies of successful agribusinesses, value chain reviews and market sector analyses of agricultural sectors /products in Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. From these studies and activities, PARDI 2 identified the agritourism in Fiji and Vanuatu, and beekeeping and tilapia fish industries in Fiji as having the potential for positive impact on community livelihoods. The project concentrated long-term investment in mentoring, capacity building in farmer organisations and training support to develop agribusinesses and influence local policy and strategies.
PARDI 2 mentored 40 agritourism enterprises, five honeybee enterprises; five tilapia farmers and three farmer associations; facilitated over 11 training workshops (for over 500 participants); hosted 10 webinars; produced key industry technical resources and business specific information in checklists, market assessments, start up guides; guides to marketing and branding; manuals and compendia for four agribusiness sectors / products; tool kits for market and business assessments; and growers guides.
PARDI 2 delivered impact in individual Pacific agribusiness enterprises and industry associations, as well as helped shape, reform and enable national policies.
The AGB 2014-057 Pacific Agribusiness for Development Initiative - Phase 2 project is supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and implemented by University of the Sunshine Coast in partnership with the Pacific Community, Ministries of Fisheries (Fiji), PIFON, Southern Cross University and the University of Adelaide.
| Project Leader Project Manager |
Prof Steven Underhill Dr Inez Mahony |
| Agritourism Team | Ms Marita Manley (Team Leader Fiji) Dr Cherise Addinsall (Team Leader Vanuatu) Ms Patricia Bibi Ms Votausi MacKenzie-Reur |
| Honey Team | Dr Cooper Schouten (Team Leader) Ms Salote Waqairatu Mr Theo Simos Mr Manoj Kumar |
| Tilapia Team | Prof Paul Southgate (Team Leader) Dr Monal Lal Ms Salote Waqairatu Mr Theo Simos |
PARDI 2 collaborators
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Academic institutions University of the Sunshine Coast Southern Cross University University of Adelaide University of the South Pacific Local organisations YHer / YGAP Pacific Islands Pacific Women Pacific Connect Pacific Community (SPC) POETCom |
Industry organisations / bodies Pacific Island Famers Organisation Network (PIFON) Nature’s Way Cooperative Fiji Beekeepers Association Tilapia Fiji Association Vanuatu Tourism Association Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Fiji Traveller Food Inspired HACCP Australia |
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Government bodies Tourism Fiji Vanuatu Agritourism Office Vanuatu Department of Tourism ACIAR |
Min of Fisheries, Fiji Min of Agriculture, Fiji Min of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Fiji Min of Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni Vanuatu Business |
Businesses / products assessed by PARDI 2
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Fiji Marama Niu Agrana Fruit (Fiji) Ltd Civa (Fiji) Pearls Ltd Kaiming Agro Ltd Natures Way Cooperative Ltd Pacific Reforestation (Fiji) Ltd South Sea Orchids Tutu Rural Training Center |
Tonga Nishi Trading Co Ltd Filipe Filihia Tupu’aga Coffee Vanuatu Forney Enterprises/Klin Kava Kava House Lapita Café Ltd South Pacific Sandalwood Ltd Venui Vanilla |
Businesses / farmers mentored by the PARDI 2 team
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Agritourism Fiji Nabogiono Farm Vee Organic Garden Mudrenicagi Estate FaRmily Gardens Bula Mushrooms Waitika Farm Drevula Heights Villas Spices of Fiji Nature Farm and Tours Waimakare Forest Farm Bulacinno Farm |
Cegu Valley Farm Namosi Eco Resort Paradise Taveuni Bula Coffee Honey Fiji Cegu Valley Farm Mudrenicagi Estate Cantilever Group / Nature’s Finest K Kumars Al-Shifa |
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Agritourism Vanuatu ACTIV/AELEAN Chocolate Aore Island Coffee tour Birihia Guest House by the Sea Blue Cave Tour Eden on the Rivers & Yoku Farm Tours Lapita Café Nusumetu Eco Tour Tanna Coffee Tour Tanna Evergreen Farm Stay Charles Godden Pilgrimage Tours Dori Lagoon Bungalow Vee's Organic Farm Hanare Kastom Village Jungle Oasis |
Jungle Zipline Loru Conservation and Tour Lonwolwol Lakeside Bungalows and Tours Malog Bungalows Pui Lodge and Tours Rah Paradise Bungalows Sarah’s Botanical Garden Nasi Tuan Taloa Coffee Tours Tames Bungalows The Kava House Vanuatu The Secret Garden Vanuatu Lava Farm Stay and Tours Village De Santo Community Garden Project
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Tilapia Fiji farmers mentored by PARDI 2 team
Aslam Ali
Safiya
Sanim Ali
Jona Dilo
Master Eneri
Laisiasa Cavakiqali
Honey Fiji
Cegu Valley Farm
Mudrenicagi Estate
Cantilever Group / Nature’s Finest
K Kumars
Al-Shifa