Enhancing Technical and Innovative Capacity to Accelerate Transformation of Agrifood Systems in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), known as TIDE4SIDS, is a project implemented under the FAO–China South-South Cooperation Programme. The project supports SIDS in accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems through knowledge exchange, innovation and practical solutions adapted to national circumstances.
SIDS face a distinct set of agrifood systems challenges, including geographic remoteness, limited economies of scale, high dependence on food imports and vulnerability to climate change and external shocks. These constraints can limit productivity, increase food insecurity and restrict economic opportunities, particularly in rural and coastal communities. At the same time, SIDS possess significant potential for innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development, including through the sustainable use of marine and aquatic resources.
The project was established to help countries access and adapt proven approaches that strengthen resilience, improve productivity and create new opportunities across agrifood systems. Through South-South Cooperation, the initiative facilitates the exchange of knowledge, technologies, expertise and experiences among countries facing similar challenges, helping to accelerate the adoption of practical and scalable solutions.
By fostering collaboration, innovation and locally adapted solutions, TIDE4SIDS contributes to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems while supporting national development priorities and global commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals.
Supporting agrifood systems transformation through three interconnected areas of work
TIDE4SIDS at a glance
Project title: Enhancing technical and innovative capacity to accelerate transformation of agrifood systems in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Duration: 3 years
Countries: Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Cabo Verde, the Comoros, Maldives, Sao Tome and Principe
Implemented through: FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme
Goal: More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems in SIDS
Contact
Component 1: Innovation
Component 2: Value Chains
Component 3: Blue Transformation
Activity 1.1: Assess the digital ecosystem in the agriculture sector, in Comoros, Fiji, Sao Tome and Principe and Solomon Islands.
Activity 1.2: Develop digital agriculture transformation policies in Comoros, Fiji, Sao Tome and Principe and Solomon Islands.
Activity 1.3: Create and/or scale-up the innovation ecosystem infrastructure in Comoros, Fiji, Sao Tome and Principe and Solomon Islands.
Activity 1.4: Engage in study tour to China for capacity development and knowledge under the South- South Cooperation Programme supported by the Chinese Trust Fund.
Activity 2.1: Improve the uptake of digital tools and solutions in the agriculture sector in Comoros, Fiji, Sao Tome and Principe and Solomon Islands.
Activity 2.2: Develop, adjust and/or pilot the FAO Digital Services Portfolio (DSP), and extend the portfolio of digital public goods, based on the need assessment and the digital community engagement hubs outputs in the Bahamas, Comoros, Fiji, Grenada, Sao Tome and Principe and Solomon Islands.
Activity 2.3: Deploy digital sensors and tools to monitor and manage the environment, soil and/ or water in protected agriculture and open field systems in the Bahamas and Grenada.
Activity 2.4: Improve and extend SIDS Solution Platform (revamped global SIDS Solution catalogue) to all SIDS.
Activity 1.1: Conduct Joint Stakeholder Consultations and Technology Needs Assessment - Engage with local farmers, agricultural cooperatives, government agencies, and agricultural extension services to identify contextual and priority challenges, preferences, and needs for taro cultivation and poultry farming in the Cook Islands and Vanuatu.
Activity 1.2: Establish context appropriate demonstration sites - Establish improved production sites showcasing new varieties, husbandry practices, usage of new tools etc. and organise workshops to demonstrate the improved production practices and technologies in the Cook Islands and Vanuatu.
Activity 1.3: Formulate regional and national roadmaps and investment proposals for the advancement of fine flavoured cocoa production in Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.
Activity 1.4: Introduce and promote innovative tools, equipment and technologies to support smallholder farmers to sustainably improve production, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance value addition, marketing and income levels in the Cook Islands, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu.
Activity 2.1: Conduct feasibility study and site selection for the pilot - Conduct a comprehensive feasibility study to evaluate the need, viability, and to identify appropriate locations to pilot improved postharvest interventions in the Cook Islands and Vanuatu.
Activity 2.2: Pilot a community processing centre for wetland taro in the Cook Islands and improve/establish demonstration sites for day-old-chick (DOC) production, efficient and safe slaughter and storage unit in Vanuatu.
Activity 3.1: Conduct needs assessments for trainers and producer groups in all value chains and develop and implement appropriate capacity development programmes for producers, representatives of farmers groups, agri-entrepreneurs and extension officials in the Cook Islands, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu.
Activity 3.2: Field Visits and Exchanges - Facilitate field visits and exchanges between trainers, enablers, and producers across project countries by promoting cross-learning and the exchange of best practices to enrich the overall capacity-building experience in the Cook Islands, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu.
Activity 3.3: Engage in study tour to China for capacity development and knowledge under the South-South Cooperation Programme supported by the Chinese Trust Fund.
Activity 1.1: Prepare a feasibility study for the fish silage centres, covering analysis on market demand, financial viability, investment requirements (layout, equipment, technical capacity, HR etc) in Barbados and the Maldives.
Activity 1.2: Upgrade and/or establish processing facilities and feed production machinery (Chinese supplied) in Barbados and the Maldives.
Activity 1.3: Develop and deliver national training programmes and a training curriculum on biological and chemical production process in collaboration with local experts and experts from China in Barbados, Fiji and the Maldives.
Activity 1.4: Strengthen partnership with feed/fertilizer industry, women and young farmers group to ensure self-sustainability of training centres in Barbados, Fiji and the Maldives
Activity 1.5: Facilitate the creation of small-scale fish feed production mills using tuna derivatives for aquaculture production and explore incentives for job-creation, private sector investment and Private-Public-Partnerships initiatives for the management of infrastructure and processing facilities in Fiji.
Activity 1.6: Engage in study tour to China for capacity development and knowledge under the SSC Programme supported by the Chinese Trust Fund.
Activity 2.1: Support and facilitate the promotion and/or creation of incentives for job creation and investment through PPP initiatives in Cabo Verde.
Activity 2.2: Set-up and/or refurbish small-scale units in pilot sites for the production of value-added, high quality and safe products (equipment, technical capacity, construction work etc) in Cabo Verde.
Activity 3.1: Conduct climate change vulnerability and/or disaster risk management assessments and sensitize stakeholders in climate change early warning systems, preparedness and associated mitigation and adaptation strategies and tools (FAO Fisheries Adaptation Toolkit) in Fiji.
Activity 3.2: Review and revise national management and action plans to support the sustainability of commercially exploited aquatic species ensuring coherence with existing regional management plans and globally recognized best practices and tools to support the sustainability and resilience of fisheries and aquaculture value chains in Fiji.
Activity 3.3: Support the restoration of degraded fishery resources and habitats by increasing capacity and understanding on “return on investment” when prioritising actions for restoration of commercially exploited species and their enabling environments in Fiji.
Activity 3.4: Support Pacific SIDS to share experiences of restoring resilience to fisheries and aquaculture value chains impacted by climate change, including capacity building, learning exchanges and technology transfer for capacity building of government and industry stakeholders.