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The Regional Expert Roundtable on Climate Services for Agriculture and Food and Nutrition Security was held recently in Apia, Samoa. The meeting was a partnership between FAO, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). A range of experts gathered from the agricultural, climate change and weather sectors to discuss how...

The shortage of agricultural land and high cost of agricultural labour located near major domestic markets can hinder the competitiveness of the agriculture sector in the Pacific Region. Changing to knowledge, land and labour-saving approaches to farming and agro-industry development requires capital investments and adopting new technologies, equipment and infrastructure. In the Cook Islands, FAO has entered into an agreement to provide funding support for local agriculture with the Cook Islands Chamber...

Samoa has a big problem with postharvest waste. But how big a problem? What are the key causes? Are some crops, production and postharvest practices more vulnerable to high wastage and why? These questions and others were discussed at a public forum which was held rencently at the University of the South Pacific in Samoa. At the forum, farmers and key stakeholders were briefed on horticultural supply chain research which...

Promoting responsible and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture is central to FAO’s work because it ensures environmental as well as economic well-being. The FAO case study called Success Factors in Aquaculture Enterprises in the Pacific outlines aquaculture enterprises in Kiribati, Palau, Vanuatu, and Marshall Islands. The case studies provide lessons for regional issues and aspirations for aquaculture development. The case studies demonstrate business models and government interventions that provide economic incentives to farmers...

Shukrullah Sherzad joined the team at FAO-SAP as Agribusiness Junior Professional Officer in October 2014. A national from Afghanistan, Mr Sherzad intends to use his technical skills and experience in agribusiness and food science to help support development of agribusiness in the Pacific region. “The agribusiness sector, which comprises the business activities performed from farm to fork, is an important generator of employment and income worldwide.” Said Mr Sherzard. “Agribusiness and agro-industries...

Adapting to climate change is key to achieving food security for the future, particularly in areas susceptible to the impacts of climate change. A project called Community resilience and coping with climate change and natural disasters in Vanuatu was launched in 2011 with the aim to assist farmers to use alternative farming methods to help mitigate the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. Under the guidance of FAO officers, selected farmers...

FAO is assisting the Government of Vanuatu and the land owners and communities of South Pentecost with the establishment of a Community Conservation Area. South Pentecost is famous for its cultural land dive activities, which is said to be the forerunner to bungy jumping. The land dive is a unique selling point to attract tourists. However, the commercialization of land diving has led to debates around the cultural activity losing...

College students from the United States visited the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Sub-regional office to learn about food systems and the role of FAO in Samoa. The students who are majoring in economics are from Linfield College, Oregon in the USA. FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Pacific, Mr Gavin Wall commented on long-term commitment to mainstreaming food security and nutrition. “Achieving food security for all is...

Forests and trees are essential for sustainable food production systems, both on farms and in the wider landscape. However, forested ecosystems continue to suffer due to overexploitation mainly for timber, firewood, slash and burn agriculture, fires and other unsustainable land-uses. Expanding and consolidating protected areas is crucial to conserve threatened plant and animal life and to reduce land degradation. The Forestry and Protected Area Management (FPAM) project is funded by the...

Regulators from the region meet to discuss new food standards Delegates from around the region recently gathered at the FAO/WHO Codex Coordinating Committee for North America and the South West Pacific (CCNASWP) in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea from 23 -26 September 2014. Codex Alimentarius (Latin for food code) is a collection of food standards, guidelines and codes of practice aiming at protecting the health of consumers and ensuring fair practices in food...