pacific island farmer s organisation network...farmer organisations can be technically assisted to...

PACIFIC ISLAND FARMER’S ORGANISATION

NETWORK

SPC-PIFON Partnership Annual Report for 2015

Reporting

period January 2015 – December 2015

Date

submitted December 2015

prepared

by Kyle Stice, Manager, PIFON

SPC-PIFON Partnership 2015 Annual Report

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Contents

1 Executive Summary ................................................................................. 3

2 Summary of activities over reporting period ......................................... 5

3 Narrative of activities over reporting period ........................................ 10

Component 1: Advocacy and Information Outreach ................................................................... 10

Component 2: Promote sustainable extension practices ............................................................ 13

Component 3: Capacity Building ................................................................................................. 15

4 Synergies between PIFON, PAPP, MTCP II and other programmes ............................................................................................ 20

5 Lessons learnt to date ........................................................................... 21

5.1 The importance of integrating famer organisations into agricultural regional initiatives ............................................................................................................................ 21

5.2 The effectiveness of farmer organisations in facilitating access to key training for farmer members ................................................................................................................ 21

5.3 The effectiveness of farmer-orientated value chain training and the role of farmer

organisations in delivering this training ............................................................................. 21

5.4 The value of providing targeted technical assistance to national farmer organisations supporting proposals to governments ........................................................ 22

6 SPC-PIFON partnership expansion with a focus on seeds and breadfruit ................................................................................................. 23

7 Financial Report ..................................................................................... 26

8 Semester 1 2016 - Revised Work Plan and budget .............................. 27

Annexes ........................................................................................................... 28

Annex 1 – Training reports .......................................................................................................... 28


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1 Executive Summary

PIFON in collaboration with the European Union (EU) funded, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) implemented, Pacific Agriculture Policy Programme (PAPP) established a two year partnership arrangement on October 24, 2014 aimed at strengthening the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through stronger market linkages, stronger information sharing and a supportive policy environment. SPC LRD has technical expertise encompassing soil health, sustainable crop production, genetic research and value chain support for crops and livestock whilst PIFON offers a mechanism for reaching farmers at scale and providing an efficient medium for information sharing, learning, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and tools and strengthening policy advocacy and development. This partnership builds on these strengths that each partner provides to promote mutual benefits for farmers. PIFON’s Strategic Plan (2014 – 2016) converses with SPC-LRD’s Strategic Plan (2013 – 2017) in a number of key areas and it was on this basis that both partners have agreed to collaborate on areas of mutual interest, achieve clear results that promote market livelihoods, information exchange and supportive policies for smallholder farmers. Initial funding to support the Partnership work plan of activities over two years to the end of 2016 has been provided by SPC-LRD through the PAPP which is an intra-ACP partnership with the European Union. Since the beginning of the partnership in October 2014, there have been a number of significant achievements directly supporting national farmers and farmer organisations around the region including:

Implementation of farmer-orientated value chain trainings in three countries covering three distinct crops – Vanuatu (spices), Fiji (taro), Tonga (vanilla);

A review of the Napil Rural Training center on the island of Tanna, Vanuatu;

The preparation of a proposal to Zero-Rate VAT from agricultural inputs bought and sold by Tei Tei Taveuni (TTT) for Taro farming demonstrates how farmer organisations can be technically assisted to make a strong argument for policy changes that support small farmers;

The organisation of a Regional Farmer Organisation Training on Technologies - Supporting Off-Season Vegetable Production that brought together key technical experts from various fields to deliver cutting edge training for farmers and farmer organisation officers;

The production of a high quality publication and video that supports the messages and key training highlights for farmers and farmer organisations in support of off-season vegetable production;

Support to PIFON’s new member PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation (WiADF) in the areas of strategic planning and governance, and;


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Providing representation at Fiji’s National Seed Policy Consultation workshop on the role farmer organisations can play in improving access to high quality seed.

Sharing expertise and experiences through PIFON representation to the following regional events:

- 11th FAO Southwest Pacific Ministers of Agriculture meeting in PNG on theme: ‘Climate-Smart Agriculture’ to highlight the work of farmer organisations in the area of climate change adaptation.

- Pacific Community Agro tourism Week 2015 to highlight the work of farmer organisations in linking smallholder farmers to markets.

- IFADs first Pacific Roundtable on Partnerships in Agriculture to discuss common challenges and to prioritise common actions, including those that will improve household food security and protect coastlines.

In addition to the activities directly supporting national farmers and farmer organisations, the partnership has enabled joint work with SPC through facilitating a number of important capacity building activities for PIFON as a regional organisation including:

Funding for the recruitment of a dedicated finance and procurement manager

Development of PIFON’ finance and procurement policy

Funding contribution to PIFON manager

Development of staff through support for key trainings of PIFON staff (Finance, reporting, monitoring and evaluation)

This two year partnership is an innovative one being the first for PIFON and any development partner and for which we are grateful to the EU-PAPP for the initiative. It has also helped strengthen the core services that PIFON provides and provides leverage with other funding partners like IFAD. With many successes already achieved under the partnership agreement there is a now a great opportunity for expanding activities. A specific regional proposal has been submitted to SPC-PAPP by PIFON related to seeds and breadfruit. It is hoped that this proposal could be incorporated into the partnership agreement with a planned start up of activities in January 2016 given that it has already been agreed to in principle.


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2 Summary of activities over reporting period

Table 1 below describes the activities conducted under each partnership component and then reports on the status and outputs. Table 1: Summary of activities over reporting period

Project Component

Activity areas Specific Activities Status and outputs

Advocacy and Information Outreach

1.1 Preparation of policy briefs for farmer organisations 1.2 Training of farmer organisation focused ICT training focusing on technologies like bulk text messaging, simple video production using tablets etc. 1.4 Support to farmer organisations in the write up of key lessons learnt

The preparation of a proposal to Zero-Rate VAT from agricultural inputs bought and sold by Tei Tei Taveuni (TTT) for Taro farming Addressing agricultural import substitution

Addressing the tourism fresh produce supply gap

A map making application that can be used on tablets, smart phones etc and helps farmer organisations (or anyone) to create simple maps. A review of Napil Rural Training Center of the island of Tanna in Vanuatu. The production of a high quality publication and video that supports the messages and key training highlights for farmers and farmer organisations in support

Proposal complete and submitted to Ministry of Finance. In progress In progress Launched at the Learning and Planning Meeting in December. Review report completed Publication and video have been highlighted at two major regional events


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1.5 Provide representation for PIFON and its members and key regional forums to raise the profile of farmer organisations in the region.

of off-season vegetable production

Agricultural Extension and Farmer Organisations in the Pacific (Case Study)

Agricultural Research and Farmer Organisations in the Pacific (Case Study)

PIFON representation to 11th FAO Southwest Pacific Ministers of Agriculture meeting in PNG on theme: ‘Climate-Smart Agriculture’ to highlight the work of farmer organisations in the area of climate change adaptation. PIFON representation to the Pacific Community Agro tourism Week 2015 to highlight the work of farmer organisations in linking smallholder farmers to markets. Providing representation at Fiji’s National Seed Policy Consultation workshop on the role farmer organisations can play in improving access to high quality seed. PIFON representation to the IFAD 1st Pacific Roundtable on Partnerships in Agriculture in Indonesia to explore issues such as

In progress In progress Complete - Key policy messages related to farmer organisations and climate change were made at this important forum. Complete - Key messages related to the role of farmer organisations linking smallholder farmers to markets was made. Complete - PIFON represented Fiji farmer organisations and provided regional context for the role of farmer organisations in relation to seed. Complete – October 26 – 27. Common challenges were discussed and common actions prioritised, including those that will improve household food security and protect coastlines.


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how policies can enable innovations, promote rural entrepreneurship and help smallholder farmers and fishers to adapt to climate change

Promote sustainable extension practices

2.1 Support for regional farmer to farmer exchanges (agro-forestry systems, organic/biological production, soil conservation, soil improvement)

Regional Farmer Organisation Training on Technologies - Supporting Off-Season Vegetable Production Tonga Vanilla Technical Exchange with Venui Vanilla from Vanuatu to support Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation Tonga Trust (MORDI) Co-funding of the Pacific Regional Soil Learning Exchange Forum held in Taveuni, Fiji.

Complete - 42 participants including youth (10 women and 32 men). Report submitted Complete - July 13 – 17 Report submitted Complete - September 23 – 25 A publication and short video on this event that cover the main topics and field visits is now available for dissemination. The publication can be downloaded from the website on http://www.pacificfarmers.com/publications-2/ and the video can viewed on the PIFON YouTube channel (accessible through our website on http://www.pacificfarmers.com/videos/).

Capacity Building

3.1 Support for regional technical exchanges on farmer organisation management, governance and administration

Collaboration with new PIFON member – PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation (WiADF) to collate information about the organisation and provide recommendations related to strategic planning and governance.

Complete - Report submitted

http://www.pacificfarmers.com/publications-2/

http://www.pacificfarmers.com/publications-2/

http://www.pacificfarmers.com/videos/


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3.3 Support to farmer organisations in strategic planning, business planning and preparation of funding proposals 3.4 Implementation of farmer oriented value chain training 3.5 Capacity building for PIFON Organisational Management and Information dissemination.

Scoping mission on the current status of farmer organisations in Timor Leste and opportunities for engagement with PIFON.

PIFON-SPC high level consultation meeting on partnership priority activities

Participation of three farmer organisation women leaders at the PNG leadership and farmer organisation event Scoping study and pilot activity supporting improved access to key agricultural inputs through enhancing farm supply enterprises. Taveuni VC training for Tutu Rural Training Centre (TRTC) and Tei Tei Taveuni (TTT) Vanuatu VC Training for the Vanuatu Spices Network Tonga Vanilla value chain training in collaboration with MORDI Funding contribution to PIFON manager Support for key trainings of PIFON staff (Finance, reporting,

TOR complete but unable to secure local consultant Complete - September 18

Complete - October 19-23

In progress – contract with Marco Polo travelling to Vanuatu sch in place scheduling of Complete - Report submitted Complete - Report submitted Complete - Report submitted Ongoing- PIFON management is significantly strengthened resulting in more activities at the national and regional levels Complete - PIFON staff skills have been upgraded and aligned to SPC/EU expectations


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3.6 Capacity building in the areas of Finance and Procurement for PIFON and its members.

monitoring and evaluation) Technical support – contribution to PIFON managers salary

Purchase of laptop computer for Communications Manager

Technical support - funded position for PIFON Finance and Procurement Manager.

Support to the updating of PIFON finance and procurement policy Purchase of desktop computer, back server and MYOB software

Ongoing

Complete - October 2015

Ongoing - PIFON is now capable of handling more resources to support more activities New policy strengthens PIFON and reflects expectations from SPC/EU under the partnership agreement. Complete - October 2015


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3 Narrative of activities over reporting period

Component 1: Advocacy and Information Outreach

i. Preparation of policy briefs for farmer organisations

Fiji PIFON supported the preparation of a proposal to Zero-Rate VAT from agricultural inputs bought and sold by Tei Tei Taveuni (TTT) for Taro farming. This proposal and the anticipated outcome demonstrates how farmer organisations can be technically assisted to make a strong argument for policy changes that support small farmers. The proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Finance for consideration under the 2016 Budget. TTT is currently awaiting formal feedback on the proposal before continuing with follow up advocacy actions. Regional PIFON is in the processing of finalising two key regional policy briefs including:

Addressing agricultural import substitution

Addressing the tourism fresh produce supply gap

These policy briefs are being compiled by a team involving PIFON Manager, a media company (Business Melanesia) and an Agricultural Economist.

ii. Training of farmer organisation focused ICT training on technologies like bulk text messaging, simple video production using tablets etc.

Regional The introduction of the PIFON designed map making application for farmer organisations was made at the PIFON Learning and Planning Meeting that was held in Nadi from Dec 01 - 04. This application is designed to enable a farmer with a hand-held device to make a map easily just by plotting a series of points of interest (POI) and saving the maps online for printing later. The POIs can be added directly from the map, based on one’s current location (device) as reported by GPS, or by entering GPS coordinates. The application can be run both offline and online. The launch of the test version was well received by the participants as it generated a lot of interest. It is hoped that the application will be made available for wider dissemination by the end of the year provided all the software glitches have been rectified.


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iii. Support to farmer organisations in the write up of key lessons learnt

Vanuatu

With funding from the EU Funded SPC-PAPP project, PIFON facilitated an exchange between the member organisations - Tutu Rural Training Centre (TRTC) and Vanuatu’s Farm Support Association (FSA). In 2011 the FSA Manager, Peter Kaoh, spent time at the TRTC where he identified the Tutu training “model” as applicable to Vanuatu’s rural youth seeking remunerative self-employment utilising their own land resources. FSA, in collaboration with the community, have now established a pilot youth training program based on the Tutu “model” at the Napil Rural Training Center (NRTC) on Tanna. The motto of “The Vanuatu Young Farmers Development Course” is “Turning Farm into Business”. The NRTC now has 20 young men and women selling crops grown on their own customary land. Under this, initiative land was formally allocated to each young farmer, prior to their participation in the course, by signed agreement from their parents and the village chief. All the young farmers have opened saving accounts where the earnings from their farms are deposited and each participant has developed a 5-year plan. For Vanuatu, such land access arrangements represent a path breaking development for the involvement of youth in agriculture, particularly young women.

After two years of operation, the FSA requested that PIFON support a review of the NRTC by a team familiar with the operations and principles of Tutu. A team comprising Father Petero Matairatu from Tutu and Andrew McGregor, the lead author of the FAO sponsored report “The Tutu Rural Training Centre: Lessons in Non-Formal Adult Education for Self-Employment in Agriculture”, visited Tanna in November 2014. The team assessed how the “Tutu” Model has been applied in terms of providing self-employment in agriculture and the lessons learnt from this experience. Recommendations that were made on the successful start-up of the Napil pilot could be consolidated and made sustainable in the long term. SPC/PAPP staff also secured footage that will be utilised in producing videos on NRTC and appropriate rural training in the Pacific.

Fr Petero of Tutu Rural Training Center (Taveuni, Fiji) during a visit to Napil Rural Training center (Tanna, Vanuatu).

The “fruits” of the Napil Rural Training Center at the Lenakel Market.


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PIFON is highlighted in PNG local media after presentations from PIFON Chairman and national implementing agency WiADF.

PIFON Communications Manager presents on the role of farmer organisations in improving access to seed at the Fiji National Seed Policy Formulation Workshop.

Regional

PIFON contracted a local media company to participate and cover the Regional Farmer Organisation Training on Technologies Supporting Off-Season Vegetable Production. The media company produced a high quality printed publication and video that supports the messages and key training highlights for farmers and farmer organisations in support of off-season vegetable production. This publication and video have already been highlighted at two major regional events, providing significant awareness and visibility for the partnership. The video can be viewed on the web via the PIFON website on www.pacificfarmers.com/videos.

Case studies/policy briefs that are currently being developed in conjunction with policy briefs which have key messages related to farmer organisations in the Pacific region are as follows:

Agricultural Extension and Farmer Organisations in the Pacific

Agricultural Research and Farmer Organisations in the Pacific

iv. Provide representation for PIFON and its members and key regional forums to raise the profile of farmer organisations in the region

Regional

Through support provided under the partnership agreement, PIFON was represented at the 11th FAO Southwest Pacific Ministers of Agriculture meeting in PNG on the theme: ‘Climate-Smart Agriculture’. PIFON was represented by its Chairman, Afamasaga Toleafoa. Through participation in the plenary and group discussions Mr. Toleafoa was able to highlight, at this policy level, the work of farmer organisations in the area of climate change adaptation.

PIFON was also represented at the Pacific Community Agro tourism Week 2015 to highlight the work of farmer organisations in linking smallholder farmers to markets.

PIFON also provided representation at Fiji’s National Seed Policy Consultation workshop on the role farmer organisations can play in improving access to high quality seed. PIFON represented Fiji farmer organisations and provided regional context for the role of farmer organisations in relation to seed.

http://www.pacificfarmers.com/videos


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Farmer and farmer organisation representatives participate in a regional farmer organisation training on technologies supporting off-season vegetable production.

PIFON was invited by IFAD to participate in their Pacific Roundtable Workshop in Bali, Indonesia on October 26-27 and was represented by PIFON Chairman, Afamasaga Toleafoa. IFAD through its MTCP II project funded the airfare for PIFON rep while the PAPP partnership funded the per diem costs. The event held in Indonesia provided a platform to explore issues such as how policies can enable innovations, promote rural entrepreneurship and help smallholder farmers and fishers to adapt to climate change. The event was also an opportunity to showcase best practises and identify goalposts for IFAD-driven policy dialogue in Asia and the Pacific. PIFON is working with IFAD to ensure that farmer organisations are involved in the design/consultation regarding IFAD projects in the region as this is an outcome being measured under the IFAD funded MTCP II project.

IFAD convenes the Pacific Roundtable on Partnerships in Agriculture.

Component 2: Promote sustainable extension practices

i. Support for regional farmer to farmer exchanges (agro-forestry systems, organic/biological production, soil conservation, soil improvement)

Regional

A regional farmer organisation training on technologies supporting off-season vegetable production and integrated crop management (ICM) was conducted and organized by the PAPP team in collaboration with PIFON over the period 01st – 05th June, 2015. This was attended by over 45 participants from within PIFON’s regional network (Fiji, Solomon Is, Samoa, Tonga, PNG and Vanuatu) and facilitators comprising of staff and professionals from other collaborators from the PARDI


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project, the Sigatoka Research Station of Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture, the SPC Plant Health team and PCDF.

The overall objective of this workshop was to enhance the ability of farmers around the Pacific region to profitably engage in vegetable production for food security and to take advantage of market opportunities (including off-season).

Tonga

A Tonga Vanilla Technical Exchange with Venui Vanilla from Vanuatu to support Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation Tonga Trust (MORDI) has been completed. This activity was initiated to provide training on vanilla with a focus on improving the flow of information along the chain and also improve production/curing.

Tonga has the longest established vanilla industry in the South West Pacific with vanilla being introduced to the island of Va’vau in Tonga by Catholic priests. A first pilot plot of 50 plants was established in the early 1950’s and in 1959 the Tongan government sent an agriculture officer to Tahiti to learn vanilla farming techniques. Farming of vanilla has since then taken off and spread to Tongatapu. There are currently 5 curers and 3 vanilla exporters operating in Tonga.


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Component 3: Capacity Building

i. Support for regional technical exchanges on farmer organisation management, governance and administration

Regional Through PAPP funding, PIFON hosted a high level meeting between its Board

members and representatives from SPC and IFAD. At this meeting, PIFON made a

presentation on promoting breadfruit production and seed supply as a response to

the challenge of climate change and food security. Positive responses have been

received from both SPC and IFAD for the Pacific Breadfruit and Seed Supply Project

(PBSP) with the following being agreed in principle:

The PBSP should receive funding support from PAPP for at least the first

12 to 18 months of the programme.

The IFAD representative indicated that IFAD would be interested as a

funding partner and would refer the proposal back to his management

team.

Discussions on strategic linkages between SPC, IFAD and Pacific Island Farmer Organisations in moving forward were also carried out with the following outcomes:

PIFON is working with IFAD to ensure that farmer organisations are involved in the design/consultation regarding IFAD projects in the region as this is an outcome being measured under the IFAD funded MTCP II project. PAPP is pleased with the way the partnership is progressing and currently looking at where else they can support farmer organisations. PAPP team indicated that market research and product development are some areas in which PAPP can provide some support. Through their funding they would like to build capacity through a stronger PIFON network. PAPP is also keen to take some of the key policy messages related to seeds and breadfruit and make sure they are disseminated within the national governments as well as within the regional networks (including wider SPC). This is seen as particularly important as many new climate change adaptation projects are being developed around the region. Through PAPP funding three farmer organisation women leaders were able to attend the ‘Farmer Organisations Leadership and Strategic Planning Training’ event in Lae, PNG from 19th – 22nd October, 2015. The event was hosted by PIFON member PNG WiADF and consisted of a two day PNG Farmer Organisation Learning Exchange bringing together PNG FOs, regional FOs, public and private sector partners to discuss the successes and constraints of farmer organisations. The latter part of the event consisted of a two day Women’s Leadership Training from Oct 21-22. The training brought together farmer organisation leaders, entrepreneurs and public sector women to encourage and foster strong leadership values and skills.


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Participants to the field trip during the FO Leadership & Strategic Planning Training in Lae, PNG

PNG PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation (WiADF) was technically assisted in the areas of strategic planning and governance. The support mission was carried out by PIFON Chairman immediately following the Southwest Pacific Ministers of Agriculture meeting. The mission also aimed to collate information about the organisation (structure, membership, governance, activities, future planning etc) and provide recommendations for areas of PIFON support.

ii. Implementation of farmer oriented value chain training

Tonga

A value chain training on vanilla was carried out in Tonga in collaboration with the Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation Tonga Trust (MORDI). This activity is in conjunction with the vanilla technical exchange activity 2.1. Fiji Two value chain trainings were carried out in November, 2014 on the island of Taveuni in Fiji focused on the Taro Value Chain. The trainings were implemented in partnership with PIFON members Tutu Rural Training Centre (TRTC) and Tei Tei Taveuni (TTT) using the ‘Agricultural Value Chain Guide for the Pacific Islands’. Participants of the value chain trainings consisted of Taro stakeholders of TTT and the staff and participants of the Young Farmers Course of TRTC.

TTT has plans to complete a value chain analysis for the Taveuni Taro Chain which will help illuminate the roles of the various actors in the chain along with their respective margins. It is envisioned that this type of analysis will help improve the relationships of all the actors in the chain.

TRTC aims to translate and incorporate some of the value chain training materials into the regular curriculum of the Young Farmers Course.


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Young farmers from TRTC engage in discussion on papaya value chain analysis

Taveni Taro stakeholders present results of their group exercise looking at each ‘actors’ role in the Taro Value chain

Vanuatu PIFON with funding from the EU funded SPC-PAPP project assisted FSA and their Spices Network to pilot the utilisation of the “Agricultural Value Chain Guide for the Pacific Islands”. This Guide was published by the EU-ACP Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development CTA and printed by PAPP. The training involved FSA/Spices Network running a participatory on-farm value chain exercise on the island of Malo with organic pepper farmers and the processor/exporter. The training focused on the quality requirements and costs of supply of this remunerative, but highly demanding, value added market. This training was exceptionally well received by the participating farmers, an immediate response being realised in terms of the quantity and quality of the pepper being supplied. FSA and Spices Network are now planning to conduct similar value chain trainings for vanilla farmers on Tanna early in the New Year.

Explaining the raw material quality requirements of the processor/exporter

Venui Vanilla’s value added spice products from Vanuatu ready for export


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iii. Support to farmers organisations in strategic planning, business planning and preparation for funding proposals

A scoping activity to support improved access to key agricultural inputs through

enhancing farm supply enterprises has been initiated. PIFON is working with Marco

Polo to implement this activity which will be piloted with Syndicate Agricole Du

Vanauatu (SAPV) which is an input supply farmer organisations based in Port Vila,

Vanuatu.

iv. Capacity building for PIFON Organisational Management and Information dissemination.

Under the partnership agreement, SPC PAPP provides a funding contribution to the PIFON manager in relation to the delivery of the set activities. Through this support the PIFON management has been significantly strengthened resulting in more activities at the national and regional levels. There have been a number of key trainings for PIFON staff provided through the partnership agreement, specifically in the areas of: finance, reporting, monitoring and evaluation. Through this training PIFON staff skills have been upgraded and aligned to SPC/EU expectations.

v. Capacity building in the areas of Finance and Procurement for PIFON and its members.

Under the partnership agreement, SPC PAPP provides a funding contribution for the addition of a dedicated finance and procurement manager. Through this support PIFON is now capable of handling more resources to support more activities. With the inclusion of PIFONs Finance and Procurements Manager, the roles and responsibilities of the existing staff had to be reshuffled. The Office and Communications Manager role previously included all the duties that the new Finance and Procurements Manager is now carrying out which is as follows:

Finance and Procurement Manager provides direct support to PIFON to ensure that all procurement and financial reporting requirements are carefully adhered to and in line with contractual arrangements. The PIFON Finance and Procurement Manager will also provide training and backstopping for PIFON national farmer organisations in the area of financial management and procurement. Responsible for preparing all payment request forms, payment vouchers, payroll, bank reconciliation etc.

The responsibility of the Office and Communications Manager has now been shifted toward a more administrative and communications role such as is follows:

Responsible for membership database and membership profiles, data entry to website, receiving and responding to member queries and preparing a quarterly newsletter. Support in travel, workshop logistics, report writing etc. Support in reviewing payment request forms, contracts etc. Signatory on cheque accounts.

Funds for the purchase of the necessary computer equipment and finance software were included in the revised work plan and budget. The Communications Manager


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now has access to a laptop that enables on-site reporting at important events and enables work to be completed during duty travel. PIFON has now been able to purchase a desktop PC for the Finance and Procurements Manager together with a hard drive to serve as the dedicated backup server to store vital PIFON information including financial records. As is required by the donors, PIFON has now purchased MYOB for financial reporting purposes.

vi. Support to the updating of PIFON finance and procurement policy.

In February 2015, PIFON board endorsed the updating of PIFON’s Finance and Procurement Policy document outlining the internal control guidelines and procurement procedures that adhered to the general guidelines of most donors. This was possible with the assistance and guidance of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s (SPC’s) former Finance Manager, Mrs Sushil Narayan who took on the short term consultancy contract of reviewing the finance and procurement policies and procedures that were already in place. The revised policy strengthens PIFON and reflects more clearly the processes need to satisfy the expectations from SPC/EU under the partnership agreement.


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4 Synergies between PIFON, PAPP, MTCP II and other programmes

PIFON and SPC-LRD Strategic Plans converge in certain key areas and for which the partners have decided to collaborate on and building on each of their strengths in their bid to promote mutual benefits for farmers. The partnership aims to promote market livelihoods, information exchange and supportive policies for smallholder farmers. Amongst many things, the PIFON-PAPP partnership has enabled the streamlining of planning and reporting through which any collaborative activity with SPC-LRD can be channelled. With the two year funding it helps secure resource planning and scheduling for both parties. This partnership brings in a technical and strategic focus as it lines up with PIFON’s strategic goals and objectives. On this note, the partnership and SPC partners held its first joint high level strategic meetings in September followed by the PIFON Board Meeting. This was to have been PIFON’s first strategic engagement with SPC and key partners such as CTA, EU and others but it was just unfortunate that representatives from these key partners were unable to be present. PIFON is also currently engaged in a partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) under the Medium Term Cooperation Programme for Farmer Organisations in Asia and the Pacific – Phase II (MTCP II). Under MTCP II, PIFON is working in six member countries to implement a range of activities. PIFON, PAPP and MTCP II have found many synergies in their work programmes that have improved immensely the delivery of each programme. Co-funding of various regional activities has been a very successful synergy. Also the ability to access a wider range of technical experts from the SPC PAPP network and through the MTCP II network in Asia and the Pacific has been beneficial to all collaborators. Beginning in January 2016, IFAD and SPC PAPP will co-fund start up activities for the PIFON Seed and Breadfruit Program.


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5 Lessons learnt to date

5.1 The importance of integrating famer organisations into agricultural regional initiatives

A series of meetings with SPC LRD management have indicated that the role of farmer organisations are not yet fully acknowledged in terms of partnerships in regional agricultural initiatives. This is evidenced by the fact that SPC LRD does not have a policy or formal stance related to farmer organisations and farmer organisations are not present on a majority of the steering committees for the various regional initiatives. Meetings held have also indicated that there remains a stigma surrounding farmer organisations relating to a few examples of poorly management farmer organisations in the region that needs to be addressed. PIFON through its partnership under the PAPP project is working to better integrate/mainstream farmer organisations into regional initiatives with SPC. PIFON is also working to clearly articulate the potential role of farmer organisations related to agricultural research and extension.

5.2 The effectiveness of farmer organisations in facilitating access to key training for farmer members

A number of farmer orientated training events around the region, including the PAPP funded ‘Regional Farmer Organisation Training on Technologies - Supporting Off-Season Vegetable Production’ and the ‘Pacific Regional Soil Learning Exchange’ have provided evidence on the effectiveness of farmer organisations in facilitating access to key training for farmer members. Both of the above mentioned trainings involved a number of national and regional experts and organisations that came together to deliver trainings to farmers, the farmers who received this training would not have access to this expertise if it were not for the facilitating role of the farmer organisation. Similarly, many of the national and regional experts and organisations would not have access to the farmers for training if the farmer organisation were not playing its role as a facilitator.

5.3 The effectiveness of farmer-orientated value chain training

and the role of farmer organisations in delivering this training

The reports from successful value chain trainings held in Fiji and Vanuatu as highlighted in the report illustrate the important role a farmer organisation can play in facilitating this type of training. The farmer organisation is often best placed to deliver this type of training because they are neither the buyer nor the seller of the product and therefore their position is neutral.


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Follow up consultations from the Spices VC training on Malo raised the follow impacts:

Immediate benefits in terms of supply and product quantity which is a reflection of: 1) the appropriateness and quality of the VC Guide; and, 2) the active involvement of the key agribusiness entity in the training.

The Vanuatu Spices Value Chain has made considerable progress in developing high value niche product markets. Targeted value chain training at the farmer level using the VC Guide has been proven as an effective way to unlock this supply.

The Taro VC training on Taveuni highlighted that the farmers gained a better understanding of how the value chain worked and what was required to improve the chain for the benefit of all the actors. The linking of commercial viability to environment sustainability was particularly well received by the participants.

5.4 The value of providing targeted technical assistance to national farmer organisations supporting proposals to governments

Farmer organisations often have important issues or proposals to raise with government however they may lack the ability to prepare the sound arguments required to convince policy makers. Through targeted technical assistance such as what was provided to Tei Tei Taveuni (TTT) for their proposal to government for Zero-Rate VAT from agricultural inputs bought and sold by TTT for Taro farming, a farmer organisation is able to submit to government well constructed arguments with the required supporting data.


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6 SPC-PIFON partnership expansion with a focus on seeds and breadfruit

PIFON had previously submitted funding support proposals to PAPP for two project activities – one dealing with breadfruit industry development and the other dealing with seed supply to farmers. PAPP requested that PIFON combine these requests into one funding proposal. The proposed Pacific Breadfruit and Seed Supply (PBSP) is PIFON’s response to this request. This proposal had been presented at the PIFON Board Meeting on Sept 16th and received the full endorsement of the Board. A summary of the proposal was presented at the SPC-PIFON Board meeting by PIFON Board Member, Dr. Andrew McGregor – a summary of this is presented below. The “big picture” policy context: the increasing food insecurity of the Pacific islands Traditional farming systems have provided resilience against external shocks and contributed to maintain food security in these otherwise economically vulnerable countries. However, these traditional systems are now under increasing threat from:

demographic pressures - high rates of urbanisation

the move away from the more resilient cropping systems

increasing reliance on imported food.

climate change which superimposes a further threat, by increasing the

vulnerability of food production systems both within region and

beyond.

The dual challenge of NCDs and CC

High and increasing food imports creating major economic and health

problems which are increasing– NCDs has reached epidemic proportions.

Grain dominates Pacific food imports. Significant real price increases for

grains such as rice can be expected in the face of climate change – which has

serious food security implications.

Comparative advantage expected to shift in favour of traditional Pacific island

staples. Policy question – how to take advantage of this comparative

advantage?

A farmer organisation based policy response to the dual challenges of NCDs and CC • PIFON identifies enhancing domestic food production utilising farmer

organisations as a key policy response to addressing the dual challenges of

NCDs and CC

• The proposed project is a farmer led initiative to operationalise this policy

response - involving two parallel but inter-related activity areas

The development of breadfruit as an orchard crop for processing and

fresh export

Enhancing the supply of seed and other planting material to farmers to

increase sustainable production of nutritious food crops.

• Involves building on work already commenced by PIFON and its member FOs

The development of breadfruit as an orchard crop for processing and fresh export


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Why breadfruit? ability to secure food energy from the atmosphere; high tolerance to climate change and climate extremes; compatibility as an intercrop within agroforestry systems; ability to sequester carbon; and high yielding in biomass that can be converted into high quality gluten-free

flour and starch products. • However, breadfruit until very recently was entirely found in agro-forests,

household backyard gardens or around villages. Progress in Fiji has now been made in developing commercial breadfruit production utilizing farmer organisations

What is proposed - building on the foundation laid by the Pacific Breadfruit Project (PBP)

breadfruit orchard development fresh breadfruit export value chain development breadfruit processing development.

Improving the supply of appropriate seed and planting material to farmers

Ensuring the availability of cultivars that are well adapted to the varied wet tropical conditions and resilient to local environmental stresses is essential for:

CC adaptation Reducing the incidence of NCDs Vegetable production to prosper as a livelihood opportunity

• Progress made in improving the supply of appropriate seed and planting material utilising farmer organisations

The PIFON sponsored seed supply study – involving members FOs in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga

PIFON activities since the seed supply study What is proposed to improve the supply of appropriate seed and planting material to farmers

farmer to farmer seed information exchange; knowledge and technology transfer between seed producers; participatory research in breeding and cultivar performance; enhancing formal and informal seed supply systems; and, support for disaster recovery efforts with appropriate and timely seed supply.

The Proposed PBSP to be implemented by PIFON PIFON is proposing a three (3) year project that builds on and consolidates the work already done by the ACIAR funded Pacific Breadfruit Project. The PBSP broad objectives are:

1. Continued development of the breadfruit orchard system with a view to

fresh breadfruit exports and commercial processing, in turn having a

great impact on climate adaptation and food security.

2. Providing access to climate resilient food crops.


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The PBSP will involve leading farmer organisations in five countries – Fiji, Samoa, Solomons, Vanuatu and Tonga. The project will collaborate with the private sector and national/regional institutions like the University of Hawaii and the Scientific

Research Organization of Samoa (SROS). It is proposed that this project will be managed through a full time PIFON position supported by a national coordinator in each country. The project also has several TA components related to food processing, seed storage, seed handling etc. There is also a provision for technical exchange between FOs and private sector collaborators. The economic benefits of this is it is laying the foundation for future generations. The estimated total cost of the 3 year project is USD 760,000. The proposal indicates that the investment of these funds would generate high economic and social returns. PAPP is pleased with the way the partnership is progressing and currently looking at where else they can support farmer organisations. The PAPP team indicated that market research and product development are some areas in which PAPP can provide some support. Through their funding they would like to build capacity through a stronger PIFON network. PAPP is also keen to take some of the key policy messages related to seeds and breadfruit and make sure they are disseminated within the national governments as well as within the regional networks (including wider SPC). This is seen as particularly important as many new climate change adaptation projects are being developed around the region. The Plant Pathology team of SPC indicated that they have seen how farmer organisations can be key partners in terms of disseminating research outcomes and providing practical training. Two very good examples of this were the recent off-season vegetable production training which included a session on pest and disease management as well as the recent Soil Learning Exchange where findings from the recent SPC/ACIAR soil health project were presented to farmers and farmer organisations. PIFON is seen as a critical partner to convene these farmer organisations for this type of regional events. Since the proposed 3 years for the PBSP are beyond the current life of PAPP, it was endorsed at the meeting that the PBSP should be viewed as a Programme rather than a Project. PAPP could fund the first 12 to 18 months of the PBSP Programme and this would enable funds to be levered from other sources. This was agreed to in principle. IFAD was identified as an obvious source for co-funding as demonstrated by their presence at the meeting and it was agreed that MTCP II would be the first funding source until more specific funds could be allocated.


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7 Financial Report

See attached excel spreadsheet This report covers the expenditure over the reporting period and indicates the appropriate SPC/PAPP expenditure coding for each line item. The coding system provided under the partnership agreement has been updated following consultation with PAPP Technical Officer and this report uses the updated coding system. PIFON is requesting an appendix to the partnership agreement in relation to the coding descriptions.


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8 Semester 1 2016 - Revised Work Plan and budget

Still under development in consultation with PIFON members. A final draft will be available for consultation in early Jan 2016.


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Annexes

Annex 1 – Training reports

See attached PDF files

pacific island farmer s organisation network...farmer organisations can be technically assisted to...

Documents