report of the 2nd meeting of pacific heads of …
TRANSCRIPT
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
REPORT OF THE 2nd MEETING OF PACIFIC HEADS
OF AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY SERVICES (HOAFS)
Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi, Fiji18–22 September 2006
Meeting Theme Managing Change
© Copyright Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) 2008
All rights for commercial / for profit reproduction or translation, in any form, reserved. SPC authorises the partial reproduction or translation of this material for scientific, educational or research purposes, provided that SPC and the source document are properly acknowledged. Permission to reproduce the document and/or translate in whole, in any form, whether for commercial / for profit or non-profit purposes, must be requested in writing. Original SPC artwork may not be altered or separately published without permission.
Original text: English
Secretariat of the Pacific Community Cataloguing-in-publication data
Meeting of Pacific Heads of Agricultural and Forestry Services (HOAFS)(2nd : 18–22 September 2006 : Nadi, Fiji) / Secretariat of the Pacific Community
(Report of Meeting (Technical)/ Secretariat of the Pacific Community) ISSN: 0377-452X
1. Agriculture – Oceania – Congresses. I. Title. II. Secretariat of the Pacific Community. III. Series.
630.995 21 AACR2
ISBN: 978-982-00-0248-7ISSN: 0377-452X
Secretariat of the Pacific CommunitySuva Regional Office
Private Mail BagSuva
Fiji IslandsTel: +679 3370 733Fax: +679 3370 021
Prepared for publication by the Land Resources Division atSecretariat of the Pacific Community regional office, Suva, Fiji Islands
Printed by Bluebird Printery Limited, Suva, Fiji Islands
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CONTENTS
Official Opening …………………………………………………………….….........................................4
Plenary Session One – report of the Director of LRD......…………………….....................................5
Plenary Session Two – country reports……………………………………….......................................5
Plenary Session Three – progress in implementation of LRD’s integrated strategic plan and HOAFs recommendations ………………………….................................12
Plenary Session Four Managing Change ……………………………………………………......................................14 New Initiatives …………………………………………………………......................................14
Plenary Session Five – integration and participatory approaches in practice …………………………………………………...................................19
Plenary Session Six – agriculture and forestry development policy …………................................21
Plenary Session Seven – statements from LRD partners ……………………................................22
Plenary Session Eight – group work ……………………………………...........................................27
HOAFS Resolutions …………………………………………………………….....................................33
Annex 1 – Meeting Programme………………..…………………………………….............................36
Annex 2 – Participants List ……………………………………………...............................................41
Annex 3 – Acronyms ……………………………...............................................................................52
Group Photo ……………………………………………………...........................................................54
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OFFICIAL OPENING
Ken Cokanasiga, SPC Animal Health Adviser, welcomed all delegates and invited Reverend Ilisoni Takape to give the devotion. Rev. Takape asked delegates to have a clear purpose to develop policies for the sustainable development of rural Pacific communities. He then invited Samoa Agriculture Department CEO Mr Malaki Iakopo to express condolences on behalf of HOAFS delegates to delegates from Tonga on the passing away of the Royal King of Tonga, Taufa’ahau Topou.
Official addresses
1. Mr ’Aleki Sisifa, Director, SPC Land Resources Division (LRD)
Mr Sisifa officially welcomed delegates on behalf of SPC to the 2nd HOAFS Meeting. He acknowledged the presence of Fiji’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Alternative Livelihoods, Ratu Josefa Dimuri, and the Kiribati Minister for Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development, Mr Matin Tofinga.
He paid tribute to two former colleagues who had made significant contributions to the sustainable development of Pacific agriculture and forestry – Dr Mick Lloyd, former SPC Plant Protection Adviser, and Mr Manase Felemi, former Policy Officer at the FAO Subregional Office, Apia.
Mr Sisifa said that the 2nd HOAFS Meeting would be intensive and would include planning for a collective contribution from delegates to the development of LRD’s second strategic plan, a draft of which would be tabled in 2008 at the 3rd HOAFS Meeting and 2nd Regional Conference of Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry.
Delegates to LRD regional meetings were requested to inform their HOAFS representatives of national development priorities, especially with SPC assuming a greater leadership role in identifying and advocating regional priority needs and in developing and implementing regional policies and strategies.
Mr Sisifa noted that ‘Managing change’ was the theme of the 2nd HOAFS Meeting and that the theme was arrived at as some of the predictions relating to global change were starting to confront Pacific Islands – e.g. climate change and food security, the erosion of biodiversity and its relationship to poor nutrition and health, issues relating to atoll agriculture, unsustainable management of forest resources, invasive species, and the threat of introduction of zoonotic diseases that can lead to pandemics. All of these have slowly become urgent issues that we must either mitigate or adapt to.
Mr Sisifa said that the unique situation of the Pacific dictates a regional approach to capacity building, trade facilitation, and integration.
The sustainability of our natural resources to support present and future generations is of paramount importance as we struggle to increase trade to improve economic performance and the livelihoods of our communities, particularly those in the outer islands. He said that LRD could not emphasise more strongly, at the national level, the importance of effective integration within the agricultural and forestry sector and with other relevant sectors.
Mr Sisifa informed delegates that SPC would be marking its 60th anniversary in 2007, with national activities planned.
2. Fiji Minister of State for Agriculture and Alternative Livelihoods – Ratu Josefa Dimuri
The Hon. Minister acknowledged SPC’s Director-General, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, for extending the invitation to officially open the 2nd HOAFS Meeting. He commented on the ‘Managing change’ theme and its relevance to the context of rapidly changing global and regional economic and trade environments, and emphasised the importance of collective development of appropriate strategic policy responses in order to sustain food security and rural livelihoods.
Like other small island developing states, he said, Fiji is constrained by extreme levels of social, economic and environmental vulnerability arising from small economies of scale, remoteness, rapid urban population growth, rapid development in coastal areas and continuing emigration of skilled labour.
Trade preferences on sugar will be phased out in 2007 and there will be a resultant loss of revenue, compounded by the high costs of internal adjustment programmes. Good environmental management is critical for the sustainable development of Fiji’s natural-resource-based economy. He noted that SPC is positioning itself to contribute more to trade facilitation to improve the region’s capacity to deal with biosecurity issues.
The Hon. Minister said that the Fiji Government welcomes the continuing efforts of its regional partners and donors and international and intergovernmental agencies in assisting the Pacific Islands to mitigate the challenging effects of climate change within the region as a whole.
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3. Keynote address
Ms Suliana Siwatibau gave the keynote address. She said her knowledge of agriculture was limited, but she felt she was at the meeting to represent farmers. Ms Siwatibau called on the group to think holistically and that islands should be treated as biospheres, or self-regulating units.
Within these island biospheres we should be dedicated to land husbandry and committed to communities, because such an approach guarantees sustainable management of resources. We should also focus on our resources – our local foods – as these fit in with the culture and can be easily cultivated, and many are nutritionally beneficial. Value adding will not only increase the nutritional value of local foods and add to food security, but also provide opportunities for trade.
On the trade issue, every opportunity to ensure the farmer obtains a good price for his or her product should be explored – systems of fair trade should be considered. By using an approach in which communities are consulted and traditional resources are considered, Pacific communities will be best placed to manage and adapt to change.
PLENARY SESSION ONE
i. HOAFS delegates voted Mr Nga Mataio as Meeting Chair and Mr Malaki Iakopo as Assistant Chair.
ii. The meeting agenda was moved by the Chairman for adoption and seconded by American Samoa.
iii Report of the Director of LRD, Mr ’Aleki SisifaMr Sisifa gave an overview of LRD and the implementation of the LRD Strategic Plan since the HOAFS meeting in 2004. The main goal of LRD’s Strategic Plan is to improve food security, increase trade and assist the
Pacific Community to be more prosperous and healthy and manage their agricultural and forest resources in a sustainable way. LRD’s objectives therefore are:
1. sustainable management of integrated agriculture and forestry systems; and
2. improved biosecurity and trade facilitation.
The Director made mention of ongoing activities, including:
- plant protection (PPP – EU; PMP – AusAID, NZAID)
- Development of Sustainable Agriculture in the Pacific (EU)
- LRD model areas for sustainable forest management (GTZ support)
- paravet programme (NZAID)- forests and trees (AusAID)- Australian Centre for International Agricultural
Research (ACIAR) projects.
Mr Sisifa said that LRD has undergone external reviews with the aim of consolidating and managing change; seeking out synergies for integration; broadening and deepening its work scope; initiating expansion of outreach and outcomes by decentralising; and resource mobilisation.
Delegates were reminded of LRD’s structure and the focus of the division’s work: farmers and communities. The meeting was briefed on the resources that LRD uses, where they are sourced from, and how they are being used. SPC is working more with programme funding and this provides opportunities to be flexible and to channel funds to those areas identified by the region as important. The staffing structure is dynamic, as can be seen by the relative increase in support staff compared to professional staff over recent years, and the relocation of staff, which is in line with the organisation’s philosophy of decentralisation (for example, the opening of the regional office in Pohnpei).
The Director then touched on LRD work in coming years. The aim is to maintain current science and technology capacity but at the same time increase capacity in those areas identified by the region as important, such as horticulture and value adding.
PLENARY SESSION TWO
1. COUNTRY REPORTS
American SamoaThe delegate from American Samoa reported that in his country, farming is still at subsistence level with no exports. Root crops and fruit are imported from Tonga and Samoa. Major achievements in the agricultural sector with SPC assistance are the graduation of four paravets, the formulation of emergency response plans (ERPs) for avian influenza, capacity building for quarantine, improvement of agricultural services, and the completion of an animal diseases survey.
Global changes impact on small PICTs. Economic and technological changes are upon us and rising fuel costs will also have a significant impact. American Samoa considers conserving and improving biodiversity to be important as these resources have sustained the country’s past generations. They should be protected so the country can use them to maintain and improve livelihoods.
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Cook IslandsThe delegate from Cook Islands highlighted some activities supported by SPC in his country, such as eradication of the papaya ringspot virus; plant genetic resources and the importation of taro varieties that are resistant to taro leaf blight; completion of paravet training; and a review of biosecurity legislation. He also noted Cook Islands’ involvement in the outcomes of the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation (PPPO) meeting, hosting the 2006 International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) meeting, and Development of Sustainable Agriculture in the Pacific (DSAP) work on maire, and lastly acknowledged SPC for the assistance provided post-cyclone 2005.
The theme picked for the HOAFS meeting, ‘Managing change’, is very timely and is at the forefront of programmes implemented since the last meeting. An important change is the increase in the international movement of vessels, cargo and people, which directly increases quarantine risks and impacts on biodiversity. Ongoing programmes to strengthen Cook Islands’ existing genetic resources base with planting material imported from SPC complement
the issue of ‘Managing change’. Improved pig breeding stock has been imported from New Zealand to improve production of local swine.
Questions from the floor focused on nonu production and the market for this new export, and also food production for an increasing number of tourists. Cook Island delegates said that local nonu production is slowing down because of the 50 per cent drop in the price paid to farmers. Nonu plots are still standing as it is a low-input field crop, but not many farmers have turned to other crops. There is a growing concern in Cook Islands about the rapid development in the tourist industry and its impact on the environment. Land is increasingly being used for tourist developments.
French PolynesiaThe French Polynesia delegate gave an overview of his country’s geography and demography. The main constraints to agriculture, such as isolation and limited infrastructure, are similar to those in other PICTs. A number of objectives drive agriculture, including biosecurity and increasing sustainable production. Several projects currently in progress, such as a market garden programme, address
these two objectives. Looking at the theme of managing change, globalisation of trade is a concern, especially its impact on health. With this in mind, efforts have gone into harmonising policies and regulations concerning biosecurity.
All of the timber produced in French Polynesia is sold locally, amounting to 50 cubic metres per year over the last five years. Currently, pine trees planted since 1977 yield 20,000 cubic metres per year. The challenge now is to set up a processing industry with a capacity of 20,000 cubic metres that will provide up to 13 per cent of the timber needed for building locally. Several threats to forestry exist: overexploitation, invasive species and a lack of long-term land management plans. French Polynesia is especially interested in sandalwood, adding value to coconut-tree timber and quality timber planting. Sandalwood is of key importance, and French Polynesia is very concerned about maintaining island diversity and does not import varieties from elsewhere. Globalisation issues for forestry are similar to those for agriculture: trade and biosecurity. The question of intra-regional trade was raised – currently French Polynesia imports wood from New Zealand, the United States and Canada, as well as mahogany from Fiji.
FijiThe delegate from Fiji raised the following agricultural/forestry issues:
- the national focus shifting to other industries, such as tourism;
- a trend of youth not showing interest in agriculture as a career;
- a decline in sugar prices (because of industry reform and restructure, and a move to biofuels);
- increased demand for cheap furniture for the tourism sector; and
- a deregulated forest sector.
There are a number of activities in which Fiji collaborates with SPC, including pest and disease management (ginger, kava dieback, taro beetle), DSAP, PRIPPP, the paravet programme, and forestry issues (UNFF, Drawa, National Forest Inventory, SPRIG, ITTO Wood Recovery Efficiency Study, Forest Policy Review). In the future, Fiji would like to:
- investigate the carbon market;- implement its National Land Use Plan and other
environment legislation; and- take full advantage of trade globalisation.
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The ACIAR delegate raised the issue of biofuels and forestry products – how much scoping has been done with regard to the economic risks, and how we can make better linkages around the region and with others to ensure we receive all the information about biofuels. More networking and exchange of information is definitely needed. Various forestry species are being looked at for energy production, and some are already in the industrial process (e.g. pine resin). The Cook Islands delegate was interested in prices of resin, and this information was provided by the French Polynesia delegate. The Samoa delegate wanted to know the impact of Drawa on other communities, and was informed that other communities are already coming to the Forestry Department requesting that similar projects be undertaken on their land.
KiribatiIn the presentation from Kiribati there was a request for more training and support for animal health and for extension. Kiribati has had a problem with taro beetle for many years; the Kiribati delegate noted the success in controlling taro beetle in Fiji and asked if similar efforts could be made in Kiribati. Good progress has been achieved on the management of breadfruit mealybug and rot. National food security activities in Kiribati include public awareness on food and nutrition, training programmes on vegetable production, capacity building in extension, the establishment of farmer associations (especially in the outer islands) and genebanks (coconuts, breadfruit, pandanus), funding for tools, and incentive packages for agriculture (DSAP).
Collaboration with SPC includes addressing the problem of breadfruit rot, training in plant protection and quarantine, the provision of banana tissue culture plantlets in collaboration with FAO, identification of pests and diseases, DSAP and the Pacific Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN).
Kiribati is very concerned about the impact of change, such as overpopulation leading to land degradation, climate change allegedly causing a decline in breadfruit (among other things) and trade globalisation leading to an increase in cheap imported foods that are usually of lower nutritional value, and therefore an intensification of health problems. During the discussion the meeting was informed of the development of an integrated strategy for Kiribati. A question was also raised as to which other regional institutions are addressing atoll agriculture in Kiribati. The following agencies were identified: FAO, ACIAR, SPRIG, COGENT, IRETA, Taiwan and New Zealand.
Marshall IslandsThe delegate from RMI reported that copra is still the main agricultural product of a basically multi-storey agroforestry system, and because of the nature of the soil, composting is a major activity. RMI could turn this into an opportunity by concentrating on organic agriculture. There has not been a food shortage, but rapid population growth is necessitating new thinking, which is embodied in the government’s Vision 2018 paper and the ministry’s strategic plan. Ongoing activities and issues in the Marshall Islands include:
- FAO food security: improved home gardening, pig and chicken production (South-South technical assistance)
- DSAP- Taiwan: vegetable production and marketing- a need to strengthen the use of agricultural
statistics- avian influenza- establishment of local markets- integrated coconut development (new products)- agroforestry processing- biofuels: using coconut filtered oil (100 per cent
coconut) – a system that is now being adopted by the Philippines.
The RMI Government needs to create an environment within which private sector entrepreneurs can work to solve emerging problems – this will address the impact of globalisation but may cause uneasy coexistence between traditional leaders and managers.
Regional integration is the way forward, but national strategies are necessary to mobilise:
- integrated environment and agricultural policies and planning;
- land use planning;- atoll agriculture capacity building;- micro-credit schemes; and- long-term planning for adaptation to climate
change.
New CaledoniaThe delegate from New Caledonia reported that there are an estimated 22,000 farms in NC, with a third of these considered as commercial and the remaining as subsistence.
Only 10 per cent of the land is arable, and it has a net value of 1.5 billion francs.
Farming beef cattle is a major agriculture activity, taking up 95 per cent of agricultural land, followed by fruit and vegetables.
There is no timber industry.
Assistance to agriculture falls under the following general areas:
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1. providing equipment and funding farm equipment, such as irrigation systems;
2. production support – to improve infrastructure to help with marketing produce, considering that half of the population resides in greater Noumea;
3. support to the whole commodity chain, in particular providing training in specific areas along the production component; and
4. research and development and transfer of technology via IAC.
It was noted that NC farmers tend to be individualistic and this presents a challenge for the government to organise assistance. Also, 75 per cent of NC fauna is endemic and thus it has potential in the horticulture industry for national income.
Discussion from the floor focused on NC’s close ties to France, especially whether there is any special access to the EU market. The NC delegate replied that there is no preferential treatment for NC products in Europe. Currently there is a vigorous export industry of prawns to Europe, squash to Japan and some fruit to Australia, but generally there is a preference for regional trade.
The delegate from Samoa informed the meeting that Samoa is working with an NZ-based company that is about to take over management of the local coconut-oil factory. The plan is to export desiccated coconut to Tahiti for export to the EU, exploiting French Polynesia’s preferential access to the European market. Further discussion focused on the main hurdles to access to EU markets, such as distance and limited volume of produce.
Concern was raised as to how to target farming communities with regard to technology. The New Caledonia delegate informed the meeting that participatory-based plans involving communities are under development; these plans ensure that the communities’ concerns are raised to higher levels of decision-making. Action plans are usually product specific but involve multiple communities.
NiueThe delegate from Niue said that the Niue Strategic Plan sets out the priorities of economic development, particularly vanilla and nonu production in the agriculture sector. Ongoing activities in the agriculture sector include:
- two projects funded by NZAID: the Young Farmers Project and the Vanilla Project (Niue Island Organic Farmers Association) working with NZ BioGro for organic certification
- DSAP: this main collaborative activity with SPC has led to increased confidence and stronger linkages between the department and growers
- FAO food security: smallholder pig farming and poultry – integration of livestock and home gardening
- a TCP on irrigation- paravet training- a refresher course on fruit fly surveillance.
The delegate said it is encouraging to see SPC supporting trade facilitation – Niue is very grateful for this, as it has led to at least one new export commodity. A lack of financial and human resources is a problem and so the government is focusing on fewer, larger activities. The greatest challenge is economic development, and at the same time, environmental sustainability. A land use management project has been submitted to UNDP.
It will also be important for Niue to balance the development of economic cash crops with food security crops. There could be a conflict between commercial and food security crops – one approach is to increase the market value of value-added traditional crops, which in turn will add to food security.
The last forestry inventory was carried out before Cyclone Heta; there is an urgent need to do an inventory now but no resources to do this. As there are plans to work with an outside logging company, the need to carry out this inventory is very urgent. Finally, Niue stressed that it wants to be a key player in regional development and not just a spectator.
PalauThe delegate from Palau said that Palau has had significant assistance from DSAP, namely a gender-sensitising workshop, a PRA workshop and compiling the 2006 workplan. There has been South-South assistance to improve farming techniques through a cooperative project, and the cattle industry has been established through Japanese livestock assistance.
SPC has provided assistance with avian influenza diagnostic training and response mechanisms. Palau is now a member of IPPC, and amendments to plant and animal quarantine regulations have been approved/authorised by the president.
Capacity building has been completed in quarantine services, the pest database and IPP portal, and ISPM.
There is also a project on orange spiny whitefly that involves transferring a biological control agent from Pohnpei to Palau – this is being funded by FAO, supported by SPC and implemented by the University of Guam. Research has been completed on non-host status testing for betel nut, Areca catechu, with results now being used to negotiate possible trade with FSM and RMI.
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There has been support for the extension service in livestock development and veterinary services. In forestry, land management guidelines have been established, a comprehensive mangrove management and protection plan has been developed, there have been improvements in nursery management, tree planting with schools has been initiated and a Ngarameliwei trial improvement project has been completed.
There are problems with invasive weeds, such as mikania (there is an annual mikania clean-up with youth), merremia, Imperata cyclindria and African tulip. Invasive weeds are treated using chemical or manual control.
The issues concerning Palau are lack of funding, lack of personnel, lack of support from Congress and lack of public awareness. The completion of 53 miles (85 km) of compact road has opened up opportunities for more agricultural development with increased access to land.
Papua New GuineaThe delegate from PNG reported that the agriculture sector in PNG is segregated into various subsidiary agencies of the government along commodity lines and agriculture support institutions. SPC’s LRD assistance works through various subsector agencies that have developed specific programmes. SPC assistance to research has provided benefits in pest and disease control, food crop breeding and basic agronomic trials. SPC continues to provide assistance and support to improve biosecurity programmes, and also on pest management and awareness.
Networking for information exchange is critical, and networking with other PICTs such as occurred with the TaroGen project is desirable. The DSAP participatory approach should be continued as it has been useful in sharing ideas and experiences. The PNG National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) collaborates with local farmers and NGOs to transfer information and new innovations. Unlicensed and illegal logging companies harvesting timber from virgin forest is causing problems with soil erosion and the exploitation of natural vegetation. There is poor management and conservation of biodiversity for potential agricultural uses. Increased commercialisation, with a tendency for shorter fallow periods and mono-cropping, is also resulting in the use of unsustainable methods.
Poor trading routes impede interregional trade. Other barriers to trade include provisions in trade agreements, compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, and a lack of capacity to support the technologies necessary to improve product quality. There is likely to be a negative impact from the WTO’s imposing tariffs on all export commodities. Expensive imported products, including grain for livestock, make it difficult for farmers to buy feed. The same scenario exists for agricultural inputs, therefore farming is difficult.
The negative impact of climate change on biodiversity is associated with exotic pests and diseases for crops, such as cocoa and coffee, and livestock. This situation has been highlighted by the latest incursion of cocoa pod borer and the likely incursion of coffee berry borer.
There is a need to strengthen partnerships with the EU, FAO, WTO and others to improve export markets for traditional, emerging and potential products, such as parchment coffee, dried cocoa beans, copra and copra oil, crude and kernel palm oil, processed rubber and tea.A national agriculture development plan has been developed to support food security to sustain rural livelihoods.
SamoaThe delegate from Samoa informed the meeting that forestry has been transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. Activities in this sector include SPRIG, the tree nutrition project (ACIAR) and GTZ.There are policies and legislation in place from other sectors on forest use. These include the Forest Acts 1967 and 1969. The National Forest Policy of 1995 is supported by the recently approved National Code of Logging Practice, which serves to monitor harvesting operations and implement sustainable forest management operations.
Samoa has a well-established GIS information forest resource system, funded by the FAO, which provides valuable information for management and monitoring of forest areas.
Samoa strongly supports community forestry, especially with leased plantation forest areas now being returned to landowners. Diminishing forests have forced the industry to improve timber processing methods and promote value-added products. Training is ongoing for forest officers, and applied research in indigenous forest systems and plantation management is continuing.
One concern is the use of portable sawmills, which were bought for cyclone-damaged areas but are now being widely used for commercial purposes. These are largely unmonitored and unregulated.
In agriculture, the contribution of coconut to exports has continued to decline, while subsistence production has held steady. However, the export of virgin coconut oil exports has taken off. The major constraints to exports are lack of access to capital, lack of market access and skill shortages. Commodity supply chain analysis work is much needed. Attracting young people to farming is
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difficult. The strategy for development of agriculture is embodied in Samoa’s corporate plan, which includes:
- supporting food security at village level;- developing sustainable commercial and semi-
commercial agriculture and fisheries;- research;- policy advice; and- improving management capability.
Collaboration with SPC covers extension, plant protection, quarantine, public awareness, and animal production and health (emergency response plans for bird flu). The Samoa delegate noted that Vanuatu had addressed the issue of food availability for the tourism industry, and added that there is a need to address the quality of food available.
Solomon IslandsThe delegate from Solomon Islands reported that forestry is of key importance to his country. It directly employs 2500 people, provides royalties of USD 10 million and government income duty of USD 18.5 million. The National Forest Resources Assessment was updated in 2006, and the data received were not encouraging. With the new government, there is a new minister and government policy is to adopt a holistic management approach by controlling the activities of logging. The government is also reviewing the 2004 Forest Act bill. New regulations were gazetted last year and are now being enforced. Collaboration with SPC includes looking at the factors for success in using portable sawmills, and certification.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and SPC are collaborating on a number of activities, for example, within DSAP and Improved Plant Protection in Solomon Islands (IPPSI). The participatory approach promoted by DSAP is being taken on board by the extension services. SI shares the same concerns as the delegate from Kiribati regarding the needs of atoll islands. In the future SI would like to focus on conservation of plants and animals, and utilise that biodiversity for agricultural production. The aim is to have in place agricultural production systems that provide substitutes for the income produced by logging, once logging has been stopped. Obviously this needs effective land use planning, and with this in mind a land use planning unit will be put in place in the next few months. Capacity building is of key importance in SI – quarantine through IPPSI, and avian flu, to name two. SI would also like to see a regional approach to organic certification.
TongaThe delegate from Tonga reported that the location of his country, on the eastern edge of the Pacific tectonic plate, renders it very vulnerable to devastating earthquakes (there was a major one in May 2006).
In Tonga’s 8th National Strategic Plan, the strategies for agriculture and food are to improve the delivery of core services, diversify exports and promote medium-sized agricultural enterprises.
The performance of the agricultural sector in Tonga has been affected by two recent developments: first, reforms of the public sector, and second, the accession of Tonga to the WTO. The effects were significant, namely a 34 per
cent redundancy on a voluntary basis, an increase in the operations budget to about 45 per cent, a flat maximum bound tariff rate of 20 per cent on all imported goods, an internal consumption tax of 15 per cent refunded on imported agricultural inputs only when respective products are exported, and difficulties with TBT and SPS compliance of traded products, e.g. Japan’s new standard on pesticide residue for squash exports in 2006. During the last five years, the major exports have been squash, kava, root crops and products, coconut, watermelon, noni and sandalwood, of which squash is the main foreign exchange earner.
Some natural and scientific indicators highlight the changes that are occurring in land resources and productivity. These indicators are:
- soil erosion (caused in coastal areas by rising sea levels, and on sloping land by excessive rainfall);
- a reduction in land productivity with an increase in the intensity and duration of farming;
- changes in rainfall patterns affecting production;- increased use of fertiliser and pesticides resulting
from squash production;- nitrate and pesticide residues in soils, underground
water and lagoon sediments;- changes in the responses of different crops to
fertiliser treatment; and- changes in the seasonal production of fresh
vegetables.
Management strategies to diversify and improve exports include:
- increasing production of current traded products, especially kava and vanilla, with minimum use of agrichemicals;
- identifying and developing new products through semi- or full processing with the potential for export markets or substitution of import markets; and
- developing and expanding the production and export of organic agricultural products.
Strategies for maintaining land resources and productivity are integrated use of mineral and organic fertiliser with improved fallow species, hedgerow cultivation of sloping land, and tree planting of coastal land areas for protection
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against encroaching sea levels. The strategy to increase the supply of fresh vegetables during off-season periods is to increase production conventionally, and possibly using hydroponics.
TuvaluThe delegate from Tuvalu pointed out that there is no export production in Tuvalu – all agriculture (pulaka pit cultivation) is subsistence. The country wants to concentrate on local market provision and food security. Problems include the land tenure system, poor soils, a lack of water, population increase and urban drift. Collaboration with SPC is ongoing in a number of activities, including composting, exchange of local food crop varieties among islands, vegetable production, the introduction of new crop varieties, and bucket irrigation, to name just a few. Forest activities include replanting of mangrove and coconut (integrated with other crops) and the introduction and planting of bamboo for handicrafts. Other partners include FAO (nursery establishment) and Taiwan (commercial vegetable production on the main island).
VanuatuThe delegate from Vanuatu reported that agriculture and forestry policies in his country emphasise the need to a) facilitate market access and trade, b) increase production, c) strengthen biosecurity, and d) support value-adding and agro-processing. Long-term objectives for development, including food security, supply-side constraints and market access (including SPS standards and agribusiness), will require the development of a national agricultural policy.
The agriculture and forestry sector may be seen to be in direct competition with other sectors in regard to land use. Real estate is also seen as a competitor for agricultural land. This brings up the need for sustainable land use planning.
Copra is the main source of income. Kava, another major income source, has declined sharply since the European bans. Niche markets for organic produce (such as coffee and cocoa) are being targeted, but maintaining production volumes may be a constraint.
There are plans to increase export demand and target international markets. Value-adding and agro-processing in both sectors need strengthening through training, research, equipment and infrastructure. Vanuatu is currently awaiting admission to the WTO. Though there are difficulties in complying with international standards, such as SPS, WTO membership should be seen as an opportunity to upgrade produce standards. Globalisation is seen as presenting opportunities for trade. Obviously with increasing trade there are quarantine implications and Vanuatu needs to protect itself.
Wallis and FutunaThe delegate from Wallis and Futuna reported that the production systems of his territory reflect the importance of agricultural produce in customary ceremonies. The main features are an exchange system based on gifts, limited natural resources, little economy of scale, and isolation. Relations with France and the Pacific place Wallis and Futuna alongside countries with low-income productivity and highly mechanised farms. Forests, with 5920 ha (including 530 ha of Caribbean pine), cover 43 per cent of the land area. Since 2005, a sawmill has been processing timber from the oldest pine plantations, which are 30 years old, and has generated a few jobs.
Agricultural output is mostly subsistence. Yam, taro, banana and breadfruit, together with pork and fish, form the traditional staple foods. However, two major zoonoses threaten human health. An epidemiological survey is in progress due to the detection in 2004 of human cases of brucellosis.
Post-harvest technologies are traditional and are in place for immediate family consumption. In the absence of exports and tourism, agricultural development will mirror the development of employment in the territory. At present, agricultural output meets most of the needs of the local communities. The production of certain items for market purposes will develop as employment expands, dietary habits change (e.g. consumption of exotic vegetables) and processing techniques take hold. The issues today are maintaining production to meet subsistence needs and/or supply the local market; offering consumers, and in particular wage-earners, a wider range of products; and exporting fresh and/or processed agricultural produce to New Caledonia, while at the same time conserving resources (lagoon water, groundwater, soil, vegetation, etc.).
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Wallis and Futuna’s agricultural practices are those of organic agriculture. Few pests or control techniques exist. The territory’s ability to meet its own needs could be threatened by introduced pests or by a loss in soil fertility or know-how. The virtual disappearance of kava from Wallis is the best example of this.
2. REFLECTIONS ON DAY ONE – Mr ’Aleki Sisifa, LRD DirectorMr Sisifa gave a summary of the main issues raised in Plenary Session One:
i. Climate change – impact on atolls, threat of new pests and diseases and conservation of plant and animal biodiversity.
ii. Get youth involved and interested in agriculture as a career.
iii. Issues related to population increase v. land available for agriculture leading to an increase in imported food and issues related to health and nutrition.
iv. Production of biofuel – and concerns about the economics of production and environmental impact. Similar concerns with coconut oil processing.
v. Adopt a regional approach to promoting high-value crops, such as vanilla and nonu.
vi. Promote the participatory approach in research and development.
vii. Access to markets and general decline in exports, e.g. nonu, squash and timber.
viii. Equitable distribution of benefits from research development and free trade.
ix. Regional integration to intensify, and issues relating to capacity building.
PLENARY SESSION THREE – PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF LRD’S INTEGRATED STRATEGIC PLAN AND HOAFS RECOMMENDATIONS
Paper 1 – Sustainable management of integrated agriculture and forestry systemsDr Mary Taylor, Regional Germplasm Centre Adviser, SPC Land Resources DivisionMany of the challenges facing the agriculture and forestry sector are intricately woven together, so LRD has taken a holistic approach to land management issues. The division is working towards a multidisciplinary extension service, liaising closely with national staff in the development of innovative and holistic approaches to improving agricultural productivity and sustainability. The presentation summarised the achievements under Objective 1 of the LRD Strategic Plan (Sustainable management of integrated forest and agricultural systems), which has five outputs. For each output, only a few of the activities were reported. Within Output 1, ‘Sustainable forest and agricultural policies, legislation and plans developed’, activities were highlighted that showed the three approaches taken here: assisting countries to develop appropriate national policies and legislation, working towards a harmonised regional approach, and engaging with international initiatives. For Output 2,
‘Sustainable forestry and agriculture management and production practices developed and promoted’, LRD tries to achieve a balance between traditional and modern land management and applying the very best of science to solve many of the problems. At all times the delivery of services and technology is carried out using participatory approaches, ensuring an impact at the community level. Output 3, ‘Biodiversity and genetic resources conserved, developed and promoted’, acknowledges the crucial importance of crop, livestock and tree genetic resources to sustainable management and production practices. Initiatives contributing to this output aim at ensuring effective conservation, yet at the same time promoting utilisation of traditional genetic resources or, where appropriate, ‘new’ improved genetic resources. Output 4, ‘National disaster response and support structures in place‘, attempts to put in place structures to minimise the impact of disasters and accelerate recovery, e.g. the recently approved Pacific Regional Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Project (PRIPPP), which will assist PICTs to establish ERPs for managing the introduction of exotic livestock pests and diseases. Finally, the activities implemented under Output 5, ‘National and regional capacity to manage invasive species, pests and diseases strengthened’, attempt to strengthen national and regional capacity in order to address the problems that can result from increasing trade and tourism, the intensification of agriculture, and continuous logging of even the most inaccessible forests.
DiscussionThe delegate from Fiji queried whether the development of land use policy is being extended to other PICTs. LRD replied that this activity is demand-driven and requests from countries will be assessed by the LRD Land Use Policy Division.
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Paper 2 – Biosecurity and trade facilitationMr Sairusi Bulai, Regional Forests and Trees Adviser, SPC Land Resources Division
Implementation of the LRD Strategic Plan under Objective 2 is progressing well and most, if not all, of the 2004 HOAFS recommendations have been actioned. The focus of Objective 2 is to provide relevant support to member PICTs in the protection of their agriculture and forestry resources, and facilitate trade through meeting international sanitary and phytosanitary standards and quality, and through crop diversification and value-added processing.
The Import-Export Biosecurity Technology Centre (IMPEXTEK) is now well established, with all three units – advisory services, pre-shipment research and development and training –functional. Ten countries, including Australia and New Zealand, have ratified IPPC. This means a stronger Pacific voice in the international standard-setting forum, and at the same time will enable countries to access relevant support.
Portable sawmills are being promoted to support the need for forest harvesting operations to be more environmentally friendly and at the same time enhance the participation of landowners in the management of their forests.
A study is ongoing to assess portable sawmill use in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to document factors of success; the results will be disseminated for the use of other Pacific Island countries and communities. Support is being provided for the development of national timber standards, including national standards on forest certification. There is scope for a regional approach in developing regional standards, both for timber quality and on forest certification.
A commodity pathway study under the FAO Regional Programme for Food Security (RPFS) is being supported to assist PICTs in their trade efforts through the development of a methodology for chain studies. Fiji, Kiribati and Vanuatu are testing this methodology. Virus indexing, which up to now has been undertaken overseas, can now be done within LRD through RGC. Virus indexing work on taro (from the USP Samoa taro breeding programme) has been done, allowing the improved lines to be shared among PICTs.
Work on yams is also being done to allow the safe sharing of materials from within and outside the Pacific. Pest and disease surveys are an important continuing focus for LRD.
The information derived is used to update national pest records in the Pest List Database (PLD) and support work on trade facilitation, and also for the implementation of pest and disease management and eradication programmes.
Paper 3 – Plant protection in the PacificDr Richard Davis, Plant Virologist, SPC Land Resources Division
Plant health programmes complement national programmes with a strong emphasis on applied practical solutions to plant pest problems. SPC’s plant health service is critical in the management of pests and diseases.
The four core activities of SPC Plant Health are entomology, weed management, plant protection and plant pathology. Within entomology is the successful taro beetle management programme, now in the extension phase. Other projects include rhinoceros beetle, IPM for cabbage and home gardens, and biocontrol of glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) insect. Weed management is essential for good crop production – 11 national weed surveys have been completed, resulting in 12,000 weeds being added to the PLD.
There are several weed biocontrol programmes, such as water hyacinth in Vanuatu and Mikania in Fiji and PNG. Plant protection activities continue in Micronesia, where a regional office has been established. Pest surveys are ongoing in this region, and new important pests have been detected and ERPs put in place.
Within plant pathology there are numerous activities, such as the development of an IPM package for kava dieback, breadfruit anthracnose in Kiribati, and IPM for vanilla virus in Samoa. A big step forward has been the ability to carry out virus diagnostics in the region, which used to be a huge cost in terms of resources. Since the establishment of this capacity in the region, there have been 10,000 diagnostic tests to date. With all of the activities in plant health, capacity building is essential. This is ongoing through training attachments and workshops. Documentation is similarly important – it is essential that all developments and new technology are properly documented in the form of technical leaflets as well as published research.
General discussion from the floor on all the papers presented. The question was raised as to how DSAP assists in linking people to markets. DSAP responded by giving examples in both PNG and Fiji. In Tiliavalevu, significant support has been given to farmers to explore off-season markets.
There was also interest in how DSAP links with R&D institutions. The extent to which this can be done varies to a large degree on individual countries, and it is hoped that the establishment of national steering committees will ensure intact linkages and full involvement by all stakeholders.
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Concern was raised as to the extent of the African tulip problem in Fiji and possibly in other PICTs. The delegate from Fiji said the African tulip is spreading wildly in Fiji, where it can comprise up to 70 per cent of trees in an area. LRD responded that PICTs will need to raise this problem as a regional concern to allow SPC to mobilise funding for research and identifying biological control.
LRD advised the meeting that there have been no specific requests for support in this area and it is likely that biocontrol would provide a solution. If the problem is not too well established then elimination is feasible, but in countries like Fiji where the problem is very well established, elimination is not a realistic option.
It was suggested that the meeting should look to the GTZ Drawa project and DSAP for indicators of sustainability, considering an overall concern for sustainability, production systems and the island biosphere.
As in discussions yesterday, nutritional security was raised as a concern. Although it is important to focus on commercialisation, the importance of local consumption of fruit and vegetables must not be forgotten, and here there is a good role for home gardens. There was a request from Kiribati to address its problem of taro beetle, which has been in the country since the 1930s.
The delegate from ACIAR queried whether biosecurity training is taken right down to farm level, as this group is quite critical in having the capacity to identify new incursions.
LRD replied that for the countries with BQA arrangements this concern is taken care of by the use of the Commodity Pathway Analysis Approach. This is a three-step operation where capacity building and inspections are carried out at farm level, including packaging, inspection and treatment, and final certification.
PLENARY SESSION FOUR
1. MANAGING CHANGE
SPC/LRD perspective – Director, LRDThis paper discussed the issue of climate change and its impact on the Pacific Islands. The land still provides many Pacific Islanders with much of their food, shelter, medicine and income. It also helps define cultural identities and bind communities together. Employment in other growing sectors, such as tourism, depend on effective stewardship of the land. But the land is suffering, and its suffering is set to deepen.
The paper posed the question of what Pacific Island lives will be like in the mid-2030s. Assuming current trends continue, there will be twice as many people living in PICTs. Therefore, more food will have to be produced. But sea-level rise and increased soil erosion are already gnawing away at the land, and what remains will be increasingly saline, drier in many places, poorer in nutrients and richer
in pests everywhere as fallows shorten, and steeper as gardens are opened in new, marginal areas. Forests will have disappeared on many islands, with drastic consequences not only for the availability of timber and other forest products, but also for soil, fresh and coastal water resources, and climate both locally and globally. Despite the growth in population, there may actually be proportionately fewer people working the land as older people fade away, taking with them irreplaceable knowledge of crops, livestock, forests and trees, and younger people crowd urban areas. There will also be extreme weather conditions experienced throughout the Pacific.
Climate change will mean that many of our crop varieties will not be suited to the new conditions, and that the distribution of some useful native forest species will shrink and that of some exotic pests and invasives will expand. Devastating pests and diseases – of crops, livestock and humans – will not be kept at bay forever in the face of changes in climate and the ever-easier movement of people and goods, despite the best efforts of quarantine services. LRD recognises that new thinking is needed, and has tried to capture this in its strategic plan and twin objectives that aim at more sustainable land management and easier trade.
For LRD’s agriculture and forestry research and extension work in the Pacific to bear fruit in the face of rapid change in the environment and in our social and economic situation, the division will need to:
1. both mitigate and adapt;2. plan, but be prepared to react;3. take advantage of good changes;4. act locally, but think globally; and5. remember that policy underpins everything.
2. NEW INITIATIVES
a. Pacific Regional Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Project (PRIPPP)
PRIPPP is designed to build the capacity of PICTs to deal with the potential threat of pandemic and emerging zoonosis diseases, in line with regional guidelines and regulations. Its objectives are to ‘implement immediate measures to prevent, or respond to, a possible outbreak of HAPI and pandemic influenza’ and ‘build sustainable
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capacities to respond to emerging diseases, in line with international health regulations’. The four-year project is funded by Australia (the major donor, with AUD 8 million) and New Zealand (NZD 825,000). SPC was selected by the donors to coordinate the project given its strong involvement in animal health and human health. This is a very significant coordinating responsibility that will see the Social Resources Division (Public Health) and the Land Resources Division (Animal Health) working closely together. Drawing up the project design and logframe included a risk management plan, a quality assurance exercise, and a capacity mapping and needs assessment. These pre-project activities have been under way for the last 18 months and have focused largely on country capacity assessments, preliminary capacity building, and training activities concerning the objectives of the project. The LRD Animal Health and Production (AHP) group is working closely with other LRD groups, and will continue to do so, in carrying out project activities.
DiscussionThe project is recognised as an expensive and ongoing exercise. Its continuing funding was questioned, and it was revealed that the funding support provided by Australia and New Zealand is actually more than promised and in excess of that projected in the four-year plan. In addition, other donor support will be sought for specific activities defined in the plan. With avian flu in mind, countries need to be proactive and give due consideration to free-range chicken production systems.
Comments by Dr Robin YarrowThe cooperation between the animal health and human health programmes is highly commended. More paravets should be trained to address the lack of veterinarians in the region. Paravets are less likely than vets to leave the region for greener pastures. However, there is still a strong need for vets in the region.
The importance of livestock in the lives of Pacific Islanders was highlighted. The livestock revolution is now under way. This revolution is demand driven (unlike the green revolution, which was production driven) and is reflected in the increasing consumption of livestock. Responding to this demand leads to improved nutrition, increased income and added market availability (target tourism market).
Delegates said that they want the livestock sector to be promoted and strengthened through both the LRD Strategic Plan and the Pacific Plan. A scoping project for the livestock sector was also recommended.
b. Facilitating Agricultural Commodity Trade (FACT); Commodity Chain Studiesi. Facilitating Agricultural Commodity Trade (FACT)This will operate from additional EDF9 funding.
• Budget € 4 million over five years• Expected start date early 2007• All 14 Pacific ACPs will initially be surveyed to
select at least five potential export enterprises based on commercial criteria
• Pilot project to be upscaled based on results
The FACT project’s objectives are to contribute to increased trade by Pacific ACPs, and to sustainably increase the quality and range of exports of agriculture and forestry products. FACT outputs are:
• new and existing exports identified; • farmers located; • production, processing, export and marketing
systems analysed;• design and technical interventions for each supply
chain specified;• improved market-oriented production systems;• skilled producers and trained employees for
selected commodities; and• strengthened quality assurance, post-harvest
processing and marketing for selected exports.
Countries and commodities selected:• Kiribati: breadfruit – food security• Fiji: fruit and vegetables – substitution (domestic
tourism industry)• Vanuatu: nangai nuts – export trade
LRD will coordinate the FACT project, with studies to be carried out by national consultants. Key activities:
1.1 Survey Pacific ACPs – select 8–10 existing/new AGFOR export products. Criteria: availability of suitable farmers and resource owners, national AGFOR science and technology capacity, export infrastructure, policies and laws that support sustainable production, processing, market access and exports.
1.2 Conduct rigorous systems analyses of production, export and market requirements and design specific supply systems for the selected exports.
2.1 Facilitate the establishment, operations and improvements of viable, market-oriented production programmes for the selected exports based on designed supply chains.
2.2 Evaluate new species, varieties, breeds and products with a view to increasing the competitiveness of exports.
2.3 Provide ICT support for selected enterprises.
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2.4 Facilitate reform of production and marketing policy and laws.
3.1 Facilitate development of post-harvest quality assurance, processing and packaging; improve operator skills, SPS compliance, market access and shelf life; and reduce bulk, increase durability and add value.
3.2 Facilitate export and support promotion of Pacific products.
3.3 Provide ICT and training support for quality and standards, post-harvest processing, packaging and market access.
Modality and staffing
1.1 FACT will be a component of the LRD programme.
1.2 Staffing: TAs – Export Production Officer (Horticulture), Export Processing Officer, six field technicians, one ICT Technician, short-term consultants.
1.3 LRD Team Coordinators as a group – technical coordination.
1.4 Ten-member FACT Enterprise Planning Committee (FEPC) in each country – annual workplan and budget and report to HOAFS.
ii. Commodity Chain StudiesThese will be funded by FAO (Regional Programme on Food Security) and implemented by LRD. The main objective is to develop a strategy capable of supporting regional and local institutions and operators in developing sustainable industries for trade and food security.
Specific tasks: • Describe current status of FACT at each stage of
the overall specific commodity chain.• Prepare an overall industry strategy to overcome
identified bottlenecks.
Countries and commodities selected:• Kiribati: breadfruit – food security• Fiji: fruit and vegetables – substitution (domestic
tourism industry)• Vanuatu: nangai nuts – export trade
Implementation: Coordination by LRD; studies by national consultants and assistants.iii. Agricultural trade statistics
i. FAO will fund; LRD will implement.ii. Objectives: Assist PICTs through SPC to obtain
relevant statistical information in support of food security, including PICTA/PACER and regional trade integration.
iii. Immediate objective: Build SPC capacity in establishing a sustainable system of trade data for members.
iv. Major outputs: Hardware and software.v. Capacity building – LRD and PICTs.
c. Pacific Ant Prevention Programme (PAPP)PAPP aims to protect biodiversity, livelihoods and lifestyles in the Pacific through the effective management of invasive ants. PPPO delegates (2004) recognised RIFA as a major pest threat to the region; supported SPC, the Pacific Ant Group and PICTs in preventing entry of the ant; and recognised that surveillance and public awareness material should be the focus of attention in the short term. PPPO delegates (2006) endorsed the six-year programme and its objectives and activities.
Baseline RIFA surveillance has occurred at 14 sites across nine PICTs. No RIFA has been found at these points of entry, but public awareness is required for post-border sites. Surveillance is required annually to ensure early detection and maximise eradication likelihood. Public awareness material for RIFA and LFA is under development by ICE.SPC is seeking HOAFS endorsement for continuation of the six-year programme to incorporate it into LRD’s work programme.
d. Organic agricultureOrganic certification is a guarantee that the process of growing a product has followed specific strict rules. The Pacific is lagging behind in setting up regional structures for organic certification, and is losing out on a growing global opportunity. There have been many recommendations from high-level and technical meetings that the region needs to move forward in certified organic agriculture development. Coordination is important and has been lacking.
An IFAD project, ‘Building Capacity in Certification of Organic Agriculture’ will be implemented by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). It is a two-year project but represents the beginning of a long-term commitment. It aims to:
− assess the current situation with regard to organic agriculture and fair trade;
− promote the adoption of regional standards (through a regional network/working group);
− establish a regional certification body; and− facilitate market access.
Seeking endorsement for the development of Pacific regional standards by 2008 through the IFOAM project following the Samoa experience, with SPC-LRD as the hosting organisation.
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The delegate from Solomon Islands said that SI would like to endorse regional action for regional certification. Smallholders already use minimum or no chemical input so they should be given the opportunity to benefit financially from the natural Pacific production system.
Also, as a result of recent floriculture training by IRETA, the women of Solomon Islands have requested that local flowers, such as orchids, be promoted, and are therefore utilising their biodiversity.
The general consensus of the meeting was for regional organic certification but delegates agreed that this should be discussed further in the working group sessions due to concerns about existing capacity within LRD.
e. Pacific soil portalJames Barringer, GIS Scientist, Landcare Research NZ Ltd, PO Box 40, Lincoln 7640, New ZealandLandcare has been involved in soil surveys in several countries. What has been noted in all cases is that there is a problem with maintaining institutional knowledge of the results of the surveys to support land use planning.
In most cases, although the quality of the data is good, the existing soil reports were published 20–30 years ago.
In summary, existing soil surveys are hard to obtain or out of print, and in many cases the reports are not user friendly. There is a danger in losing the ability to turn scientific data on soils into knowledge useful to a range of users.
Landcare has developed a Soils Portal, which is interactive and map-based. It is easy to navigate, easy to understand, dynamic, flexible and easily expanded. A short demonstration was provided.
The question of the need for a Pacific soils portal was then raised, in which each country would have a homepage.
Such a portal should be centralised because although each country will have unique needs, and therefore there should be a tailored solution for each, the fundamental technology is the same, hence a central site.
Such a portal would be used by soil scientists, extension officers, farmers, environmental scientists, and planners/policy-makers. The question of data ownership arises but the rights of each data custodian would be respected.
Information could be split into ‘regions’ of similarities, but there would also be Pacific-wide information, which would be in the public domain.
Currently Landcare is involved in a feasibility study to get recommendations on how to proceed, the portal design, where it should be based, management and structure, and funding and resources.
Landcare would like endorsement from this meeting for the development of a Pacific soils portal based at SPC.
f. Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT)This paper announced that RGC would be expanding and relocating to the same site as CETC, in Narere. RGC provides a number of services for the region – conservation, access to traditional and improved crop varieties, and research into developing methodology in tissue culture to improve conservation and add to genetic diversity in the region.
Since its establishment in 1999, the number of accessions conserved, accessions distributed and research projects in operation has increased. The new facility will enable LRD to branch out into new research areas, such as forest genetic resources and the development of microcorms in
taro. In addition, core services will be improved – there will be more distribution, more conservation and a virus-testing unit based within the facility (currently the facility is shared with USP, which presents logistical problems). The new facility will also provide an opportunity to respond to natural disasters by supplying in as short a time as possible good-quality planting material. The potential to respond to requests for capacity building will also improve – presently space is a significant constraint. It is anticipated that RGC will relocate and become CePaCT by mid-2007. With the same objective in mind of improving services, a tissue culture network was recently formed that includes all the tissue culture laboratories operating in the region. This network will share information and problems and, ideally, ensure effective use of all resources.
g. ISPM 15Guidelines for regulating wood packaging materials (WPMs) in international trade:
• standards endorsed in 2002 by ICPM• approved, globally accepted measures to be
applied to WPMs• developing countries, including some in the
Pacific, lag behind in implementation• regional initiative pursued to support PICTs
Proposed regional Pacific treatment accreditation scheme:
• address PICTs’ needs for ISPM 15 compliance through training and establishment of an accreditation scheme
• project meeting and implementation by SPC and NZMAF
Pacific accreditation scheme:• Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme
(AFAS) possible template for the project:
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– used in ASEAN countries and PNG– fumigation training and certification scheme– train fumigators and quarantine inspectors
• Biannual audits – use of SPC and a country auditor
Imported WPMs:• Regulatory requirements for imported WPMs to
be ISPM 15 compliant• WPMs to be reused by countries with no treatment
facilities• Project to assist PICTs in developing safe-handling
protocol for import and reuse of WPMs
h. The Landcare concept and sustainable land management (SLM)SLM is a holistic or integrated approach to land resources development and management. it considers the technical, physical, sociological, economic and political issues in making land use decisions to achieve the most efficient and non-destructive long-term use of land resources. SLM attempts to balance development with conservation.Land management problems in the Pacific:
• Deforestation• Unsustainable logging• Intensive sloping-land cultivation with no
conservation measures• Intensive monoculture flat-land cultivation• Commercial livestock farming with no conservation
measures• Reclamation of freshwater and mangrove swamps
for other uses, e.g. agriculture• Uncontrolled land use in coastal zones, especially
on atoll islands
The off-site effects of bad land use practices include increased sedimentation in river systems. For example, total soil loss from the Rewa watershed is 9.3 million tons per year, costing close to FJD 1 million in dredging costs.Fourteen PICTs have now ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and others are encouraged to consider signing up.
The Landcare concept is based on a participatory community and sustainable resources management
approach. The emphasis is on institutional strengthening, local decision-making, community empowerment and building the self-reliance of local communities. Landcare recognises sustainable livelihoods and social, economic and environmental sustainability. Why we need to establish
Landcare groups in the Pacific Islands:• To minimise or reduce land degradation• To establish partnerships between individuals,
communities, governments, NGOs and business houses to move forward the process of sustainable resources management
• To mobilise resources at national, provincial, district and local levels to enhance the SLM process
• To mainstream SLM as a policy for NSDPsLandcare initiatives for the Pacific:
• Two national Landcare workshops in Fiji• Formation of Landcare national steering
committee (NSC) for Fiji• NSC will be linked to the Secretariat of International
Landcare (Australia)• Ten participants will be attending the Australian
Landcare Conference and Training in Melbourne in early October 2006 – including representatives from Tonga and Solomon Islands.
• Funded by SPC/GTZ and CTASeeking HOAFS endorsement of this new initiative: Sustainable Land Management and Landcare Concept for the Pacific – to be part of LRD’s future work programme.
i. Pacific Regional Crop Improvement Program (PARCIP)
• The aim is for PICTs, including regional organisations, to work together to improve food genetic resources for the benefit of all.
• The importance of PARCIP to long-term food security was acknowledged by HOAFS in 2004. The communiqué supports the conservation of genetic resources, diversification of food crops and genetic improvement of agriculture crops of the region as long-term measures to address the impacts of climate change.
• A regional meeting in 2004 attended by SPC, FAO, NARI, Fiji, FSM and Tonga drew up priority activities for PARCIP.
• Guiding principles include:- building on past regional collaboration and
strengthening present PGR by networks;- ensuring equitable access and sharing of
food crop genetic resources; and- using participatory and consultative
approaches.• Proposal was initiated by NARI in 2002.• FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP)
will focus on regional support, appropriate structure identification, and refinement of research priorities and implementation schedule modus operandi for research and funding proposals.
• Countries are requested to offer their support to FAO TCP; a letter from FAO-SAPA has been circulated in this regard.
• Cook Islands and Tuvalu expressed support for PARCIP and requested that the TCP draft be circulated for comments.
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Cook Islands moved that all recommendations and new initiatives presented today be endorsed except for the organic certification initiative, which needs further discussion. The motion was seconded by Marshall Islands.
PLENARY SESSION FIVE: INTEGRATION AND PARTICIPATORY APPROACHES IN PRACTICE
a. Development of Sustainable Agriculture in the Pacific (DSAP)Dr Danny Hunter, Team Leader, SPC
DSAP aims to increase the sustainable agricultural production of target farm families in the 16 participating countries, which cover Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia. DSAP features a participatory approach with
farmers and rural communities, for the identification and adoption or adaptation of technologies to solve agricultural problems. The DSAP project gives priority to:
• farmer and community empowerment through participation in project identification, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• technology transfer for increasing sustainable agriculture production and food security;
• human resource development as the key to sustainability; and
• involvement of women at all levels of project activities – this can be difficult, but it is necessary.
Since the last HOAFS meeting there have been three independent reviews of the DSAP project – a midterm review, an EC monitoring mission and a thematic gender evaluation. Collectively, the reviews have highlighted notable achievements and impacts of the project.
French Polynesia finally came on board in 2005 and has made significant strides to recruit its full complement of national staff and commence consultations with local communities. It is felt that New Caledonia’s withdrawal from the project means lost opportunities, not only for the territory itself but also for greater learning, sharing and networking between and with OCTs and ACP countries.Ms Mereani Rokotuibuna, a Fijian DSAP GREA, presented on the DSAP project at Tilivalevu, which is assisting local communities to establish income-generating projects and conserve sloping land areas.
DiscussionPNG queried whether DSAP’s work is linked to national research and development and to identifying markets. DSAP responded that taro production is a major activity now and last year there was a PNG delegation to Fiji organised by SPC to look at taro production and markets. DSAP is making an attempt to link up with Unitech and NARI to sustain some of its activities, and where effective and relevant research and development are identified DSAP will strengthen these partnerships. It depends on what is available and will be guided by the assessment of the DSAP national steering committee.
b. LRD/GTZ model areas for community-based natural resources managementMr Christoph Muziol, Team Leader/Chief Adviser, SPC/GTZ Pacific-German Regional Forestry Project
After a brief introduction to GTZ, Mr Muziol described the Pacific-German Regional Forestry Project (PGRFP) in general and the use of ‘model areas for community-based forest management’ in particular, especially the model area in Drawa, Vanua Levu, Fiji.
This work targets all levels, from landowners at village level to district level to policy-makers. It fosters an integrated approach to land use, including forest, agriculture and protected (biodiversity, culturally sensitive) areas. A participatory land use planning process has been developed that can be applied in other areas and countries, and a cooperative has been set up in the village. Drawa is also a good showcase for integration within LRD.
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A query from the floor raised the question of the sustainability of the community-based models – DSAP, Drawa and Landcare – and concern about areas of overlap and how to bring the different models together. It is the intention of LRD to bring the projects together under one programme and embed them in LRD activities. At the national level there is a need to bring the initiatives together to be adopted by the countries and see how they can be institutionalised.
c. PAFPnet – Pacific Agriculture and Forestry Policy NetworkIn February 2006 a core group with representatives from agencies in the Pacific, including NARI, PIFS and FAO-SAPA, came up with a road map for the establishment of PAFPnet. The road map agreed that:
1. a workshop in Nadi would validate the CTA meeting decision (this happened in August 2006);
2. PAFPnet would be endorsed by HOAFS;3. PAFPnet would be endorsed by CRGA and
launched at the CRGA meeting in November 2006; and
4. an MOU and a coordination unit would be in place by January 2007.
Why does the region need a network? Countries cannot work alone – there is a need for closer economic integration, and for countries to share information and success stories.
The main objectives of PAFPnet are to facilitate capacity building; support the formulation, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of agriculture and forestry policies; and help countries with future developments. Fifty-five participants attended the PAFPNet meeting, with representation from 22 PICTs.
The meeting fully endorsed the network and also made several recommendations. The functions of the network were agreed on and it was decided that membership would be open, voluntary and flexible.
The meeting also agreed on guiding principles and networking arrangements – coordination would be by LRD.
The meeting decided that there would be a core group within the network that would consist of regional agencies and one representative from each of the subregions.
A website is being established; one of its functions will be to provide information on existing policies, which will be an input from PICTs. PAFPnet requires endorsement from HOAFS at this meeting.
d. Pacific Islands Extension Network (PIEN)PIEN was established at the 2005 Tonga Extension Summit, where Heads of Extension met for the first time in many years. Summit delegates comprised extension managers, researchers, and representatives from NGOs, academic institutions, SPC, and donor partners Australia, New Zealand, CTA and FAO.
A logo has since been designed that depicts points representing extension links covering the three regional areas: Melanesia, Micronesia – (Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, Tokelau) and Polynesia. It also links to international extension partners and donors.
PIEN is an informal network of experts tasked to share extension experiences and information to seek ways to improve and support the delivery of extension services by governments and NGOs in the Pacific. It provides a platform for networking, professional development and representation of members. ACIAR has come forward with some funds for PIEN to conduct an initial extension needs analysis.
PIEN seeks endorsement from HOAFS to:• support the ACIAR-funded participatory needs
and capacity-building assessment;
• support PIEN in the technology transfer sector under PAFPnet;
• create awareness of the Pacific Excellence in Extension Service Award; and
• encourage the use of people-centred participatory approaches as the modus operandi in PICTs and as proven successful and used widely by DSAP and the GTZ/PGRFP Drawa Model Area.
DiscussionCook Islands endorsed the PIEN initiative, and is looking forward to supporting PIEN to benefit the region.
Solomon Islands was concerned that PIEN serve staff out in the provinces and not just at headquarters – the service has to reach the people on the ground. SPC responded that the task is enormous but LRD is aware of the challenge, and will ensure that all extension members benefit.
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Tonga expressed concern regarding the selection of one focal point addressing both agriculture and forestry, and asked whether we need two focal points. SPC made the general comment that we are talking about informal networks, e.g. PAFPnet, comprising representatives from both the formal and informal sectors, and reaching down to the community level.
How we do this is that there are other initiatives going on that will make communications easier. PNG mentioned that since their extension service was decentralised, the sector has not worked to deliver outputs. PNG hopes PIEN will be able to help make extension more efficient in PNG.
e. Pacific Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN)PAPGREN was established by the Heads of Agriculture in 2001. It has been supported since then by projects funded by NZAID and ACIAR through IPGRI.
Activities have included organising national stakeholder workshops, information exchange, training, development of regional strategies, support to priority national and regional conservation activities, and policy support. Since the last HOAFS meeting, the network has concentrated on supporting countries in their consideration of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
This has included developing draft cabinet submissions, building awareness, training, and developing a regional strategy for the Global Crop Diversity Trust (part of the funding strategy for ITPGRFA).
The speaker explained how the multilateral system established by ITPGRFA will work compared to the access and benefit-sharing arrangements of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) that will govern exchange of germplasm from the multilateral system was finalised at the first meeting of the ITPGRFA governing body in June 2006.
PICTs had a voice on the governing body thanks not only to the participation of the three parties from the region (Cook Islands, Samoa and Kiribati) but also to the workshop on ITPGRFA organised by Australia’s DAFF and LRD in May 2006.
It is important that PICTs give serious and rapid consideration to ratification of ITPGRFA. LRD is prepared to provide any necessary advice.
Feedback was also sought on the Pacific Regional Strategy for the Global Crop Diversity Trust and on regional PGR in the Pacific in general.
PLENARY SESSION SIX: AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT POLICY
Pacific Plan – update on progress
A report is available that details progress that has been made in implementing the Pacific Plan, which was adopted in 2005 by Pacific Ministers. There is a small unit now established in PIFS to facilitate implementation.
The Pacific Plan is very much considered the driving document for sustainable development and economic growth in the Pacific, and this is how it is being seen by many of the major donors, e.g. the EU. Unfortunately the agriculture and forestry interventions in the Plan are very lightweight, and this meeting should consider addressing this by making a recommendation to strengthen these interventions in the Plan.
One of the factors affecting the implementation of the Pacific Plan is limited national capacity, and initiatives have been put in place to address this. CROP Heads are looking at joint programming to address capacity weaknesses and avoid any duplication of effort. On capacity, linkages with NGOs are very important and PIFS is working on an accreditation policy for NGO participation at the Forum Leaders meeting.
The Pacific Plan stresses regionalism and USP has now established courses on regionalism. In the Plan there is also an emphasis on technical and vocational training to address the limited capacity in this area.
EU Pacific Strategy for EDF10The EU has developed a policy document to indicate where it wants to put its money in the Pacific. It recognises that the Pacific is home to substantial natural resources, while at the same time noting the existence of unsustainable practices such as logging, climate change, and pollution problems.
The EU feels it has proven experience in addressing such issues and so EDF10 is focusing on the sustainable management of natural resources. The EU also acknowledges instability in the region due to weak governance, population pressure and low income generation.
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As part of its strategy the EU will strengthen political dialogue with national governments and regional organisations. It also wants to see development aid being more focused, the idea being that there will be greater impact with fewer interventions. Central to the EU strategy is regional cooperation and integration, thereby building critical mass so that global challenges can be addressed.
The EU focus on sustainable management of natural resources is highlighted by its ‘Green-Blue’ strategy.
EDF10 will run from 2008 to 2012 and will provide € 76.2 million to the Pacific. PIFS as the Regional Authorising Officer (RAO) will coordinate the programming of resources for the two focal sectors within EDF10: sustainable management of natural resources (€ 30 million) and human resource development (€ 40 million). The overarching theme for both sectors will be regional integration and cooperation. PIFS is working with SPC and other agencies to develop programmes for EDF10.
SPC is working with other agencies and has developed a concept note that will fall under the ‘Green’ Initiative; the funding required for this will be € 20–25 million. The region has until March 2007 to develop projects for submission to Brussels.
The need to increase the ‘marketing’ of the Pacific Plan document was a comment from the meeting. To the average person, what does it mean? What can this Plan do that others cannot? In response, the meeting was told that there is a lot of work going on with awareness.
Concern was also expressed that with the new EU strategy – any new programmes should work with what exists already. The questioner was reassured that as PIFS (the RAO) is working with regional agencies, country priorities will be very much considered.
Pacific 2020 (AusAID; presented by ACIAR)This presentation looked at Australian aid to the Pacific by the year 2020. Australia has committed up to AUD 4 billion in aid worldwide but more focus has been given to the Asia-Pacific region.
Pacific 2020 is a framework or guide to aid managers and was developed in close consultation with PICTs. It covers 14 Forum countries, including East Timor, and recognises their wide disparity.
It is recognised that aid alone is not sufficient and that economic growth must be stressed as essential. Governance is a strong focus in the aid assistance.
Governance is a constant process of dialogue and sharing experiences and the overarching role for everybody.
Challenges for the Pacific include employment, health, urban migration and climate change. Finding solutions won’t be easy.
The question arises of how to realise growth scenarios in PICTs as small island states with less than 10,000 people.
Tourism is identified as one industry to drive growth back into island economies. Agriculture remains high as an area of growth and we must work together and look for success stories.
Information for farmers is critical for growth, thus Australia is looking to identify and work in partnership with relevant stakeholders to allow this to progress.
Fisheries is also identified as a strong area for growth. Forestry, particularly the plantation sector, has good potential to contribute to growth and given the right incentives can perform very well.
PLENARY SESSION SEVEN: STATEMENTS FROM LRD PARTNERS
Pacific Islands Network for Taxonomy (PACINET)
This is both a network and a partnership to enhance taxonomic capacity in the Pacific. Taxonomy is critical in various aspects of agricultural and forestry research, but taxonomic expertise is scarce and eroding steadily.
PACINET operates under the direction of a steering committee with representation from USP, SPREP and SPC as part of the BioNET global network for taxonomy.
The Pacific network is the only regional network with a full-time coordinator (supported by USP, SPREP and LRD). Activities have included the development of diagnostic tools and training in the use of Lucid software. A high priority is to document human resources in taxonomy in the Pacific. It was suggested that the PACINET Coordinator write to Heads of Agriculture in the first instance for contact points.
South Pacific Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory Network (SPACNET)Mr Dave Leslie, Research Associate, Landcare Research NZ Ltd
At HOAFS 2004 it was proposed that the region support SPACNET through SPC. The proposal received a favourable response, but there was no funding within SPC to sustain activities. However, NZAID provided funding for three years because they were satisfied that after that time, SPACNET would find a regional home. SPACNET operates in five countries and covers nine laboratories.
This third phase is basically a continuation of Phases 1 and 2 and will include:
• a quality assurance programme;• capacity building through various means;• updating of manuals; and• accreditation of laboratories.
Two regional labs will be identified as training centres for the rest of the network, with the aim of having a cadre of technicians who can perform soil, plant and water quality analyses. After three years SPACNET will be housed at SPC.
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Diet and Physical Activity Strategy (DPAS)Dr Viliami Puloka, SPC Physical Activity Adviser; Ms Karen Fukofuka, SPC Nutrition Adviser; and Dr Temo K. Waqanivalu, WHO, Fiji
Dr Puloka presented on behalf of the group, first pointing out to delegates relevant publications such as the Global Strategy on Diet and The Food We Eat.
He highlighted non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or lifestyle diseases as the major threat to the health of Pacific Islanders.
Several startling facts were revealed, including that 8 out of 11 deaths are preventable and that the top 10 diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, are major contributors. Worldwide, over 60 per cent of deaths are related to NCDs.
SPC effort is concentrating on addressing immediate risk factors before the endpoint of stroke or heart attack.
These factors include hypertension, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.
The determinants of the risk factors fall into three categories: behavioural, environmental and non-modifiable (sex, age).
The first two categories are modifiable, e.g. for behavioural determinants we can change our diet or stop smoking; for environmental determinants we can foster a conducive socioeconomic environment and develop policies to foster healthy working environments.
Among Pacific countries, Samoa spends close to 40 per cent of its health budget on NCDs and Tonga spends 60 per cent.
DPAS is seeking the support of HOAFS to realise the threat of NCDs and address the problem by putting in place policies and mechanisms to recognise and pursue physical activity as a paramount objective, not only in the workplace but for the general population.
We need to make it everyone’s responsibility to make physical activity a part of their life.
USP School of Agriculture and Food Technology (SoAF); demand studyDr Pa’o Luteru, Dean, Faculty of Islands and Oceans, USP, Suva, Fiji
Various external and internal reviews were carried out to address the issue of the low number of agriculture students at Alafua and assess the relevance of courses and quality of graduates.
A taskforce was set up comprising representatives from SPC, FAO, SoAF and Cornell, and it endorsed the findings of the reviews. Some administrative changes have been carried out: IRETA is now part of the School of Agriculture and Food Technology; an advisory board has been set up for the School that includes all stakeholders (representatives need to be identified from all member countries); and the School is now part of the Faculty of Islands and Oceans, enhancing contact and collaboration with the main campus. An MoU is being drafted with FAO, and in general closer collaboration is being sought with regional players in agriculture, including SPC.
There are four ‘horizontal’ themes for research in the Faculty of Islands and Oceans: integrated resource management, conservation, climate change, and biotech and food security.
Dr Luteru then presented a summary of the USP Demand Study that LRD was instrumental in putting together as a consultancy. Forty-five out of 122 stakeholders responded to a questionnaire as part of the survey.
Alafua generally expects to continue to play a significant role in training in agriculture. The current focus of the curriculum is production, but redirection of that focus is warranted. Agribusiness, marketing, nutrition, post-harvest, value adding, sustainable agriculture, biosecurity and crop protection have all been highlighted as gaps in the curriculum.
Linkages between agriculture and other fields are also important, in particular tourism and the environment. The future of the Diploma course was questioned, but more feedback is needed from countries to make a final decision. Lobbying is being done in Samoa and other countries to increase the number of scholarships available in agriculture. Dr Luteru asked for endorsement of the USP Demand Study Report.
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DiscussionThe delegate from Tonga asked how the forestry/agroforestry sector will be addressed in future. Dr Luteru replied that the sector will be taken into account when the course and programme are restructured.
Dr Robin Yarrow spoke to two issues. First, there is a brain drain in veterinarians. Paravet training is important and must continue, but there needs to be a vet course at USP (in collaboration with James Cook and Queensland universities) that paravets can flow into. Second, food safety needs consideration.
Dr Luteru agreed with the point on vets. On the second point, he said this is perhaps an area that the Institute of Applied Science could address. Perhaps the region can look at the possibility of setting up an agency for food quality certification.
The delegate from Cook Islands endorsed the report, but had the following concerns: 1) the low response rate to the questionnaire; 2) that there had been two occasions for directors to meet and discuss this issue in detail, but both had been cancelled; and 3) he was surprised to find that the School was working in relative isolation from the main campus. Dr Luteru responded that he would give serious consideration to the possibility of reinstituting regular meetings of directors to help guide the restructuring and future of the School.
The delegate from Kiribati asked whether atoll agriculture would be addressed. The answer was yes.
The delegate from PNG said that the advisory body should not be confined to government representatives, and asked whether Alafua was planning to include attachments to the private sector in the academic curriculums to enhance employability. Dr Luteru responded that a fairly wide cross-section of people from Samoa were involved in the advisory board, and that members would be sought from all member countries.
FAO Mr Aru Mathias, Forestry Officer, FAO Sub-regional Office (SAPA), Apia, Samoa
Mr Mathias said that FAO is mandated to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, improve agricultural
productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world community. SAPA provides technical assistance in the following areas: agriculture policy, farming systems development and marketing, fisheries, food and nutrition, forest management, and plant protection.
Other regional activities include support to the Regional Programme for Food Security, and TeleFood projects. Information was presented on how SAPA provides technical assistance to member countries, especially the popular TCP projects. TeleFood projects in the Pacific are now very popular, especially for atoll countries.Forestry work in the region is done in partnership with SPC, AusAID, NZAID, USP and other regional and international organisations, including the National Forest Programme Facility. SAPA also carries out training and capacity building in PICTs.
FAO has nine major donors, with in-kind support from Japan and Germany.
ACIAR Dr Simon Hearn, Senior Adviser, ACIAR
Dr Hearn said that ACIAR believes in the practice of partnerships – between farmers, NGOs, the private sector, and international and regional organisations. Key points of his presentation included:
• ACIAR is moving to a multidisciplinary approach to research.
• ACIAR recognises biosecurity as important, as it does the participatory approach.
• ACIAR’s vision is to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods.
• PICTs are constrained by their small size, narrow
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and FSM) contribute to reaching the objectives of LRD’s strategic plan. GTZ regularly co-funds major regional events with LRD.
The German bilateral assistance was planned to be discontinued by the end of 2006, but there are indications that this may be averted, with an ‘external evaluation’ of the project starting in November 2006. PGRFP is only one of 10 ongoing projects being evaluated by BMZ (the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). There is also a possibility for funding to continue for another 12–18 months after 2007, to complete ongoing long-term activities.
The German Government has decided to consider funding a new regional GTZ project under the umbrella of ‘climate change mitigation and adaptation’.
It looks forward to receiving a proposal from SPC before the end of the year. This will need to be a regional proposal.
On behalf of GTZ, Mr Muziol expressed gratitude to SPC and the governments of partner countries for the fruitful and enjoyable cooperation and collaboration.
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) Dr Percy E. Sajise, Regional Director, IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific and Oceania, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Dr Sajise recalled how COGENT, INIBAP and PAPGREN had helped to achieve the goal of helping PICTs conserve and use their valuable plant genetic resources.
These are some of the projects that IPGRI is actively involved with in the Pacific, in partnership with national agricultural systems and SPC.
IPGRI has changed its name to Bioversity International.
Dr Sajise said that agricultural systems serve three main functions: production, environmental and cultural.
However, in many cases, especially for the commercial sector, the market only recognises the agricultural production function, and the markets for environmental and cultural services are very thin or totally absent.
In such cases, agriculture is either undervalued or overvalued. In many cases it is undervalued because the market does not recognise the huge environmental and cultural impact of agriculture. This is already reflected in some PICTs’ current agricultural policies addressing agro-environmental concerns.
IPGRI’s new strategy still reflects its commitment to achieving the goal of helping PICTs conserve and use their plant genetic resources, but the means of achieving it are more through a people-centred approach.
This means conserving agrobiodiversity by finding ways of making it useful for those who conserve it.
resource base, physical isolation, people’s deteriorating health, population growth rates, and difficulty retaining trained personnel.
• ACIAR is focusing on training extension and the development of production systems, including smallholder systems and partnerships.
• AusAID is the overarching agency and ACIAR is a research arm.
• Emphasis is being placed on marketing to support the twin roles of agriculture in income generation and food security.
• ACIAR’s indicative research priorities in PICTs for 2006–07 are:o improving incomes from more productive
farming systems;o sustainable management of forestry and
fishery resources;o biosecurity and pest and disease management;
ando farming systems economics and marketing.
DiscussionACIAR is looking to prioritising regional projects and working with partners, including government and regional organisations. It invites government and regional agencies to put forward good projects, and will attempt to marry country priorities and ACIAR priorities for regional research projects.
LRD noted the need for ACIAR projects to consider the nutrition and diet of Pacific Island people. The issue of youths leaving agriculture also needs to be addressed, and there is a need to look into improving infrastructure in rural communities and ties to land management issues.Dr Hearn said that ACIAR’s research component in biosecurity includes surveillance in quarantine. Research is translated on the ground through training and capacity building in collaboration with quarantine services.
ACIAR’s involvement in extension was commended. Dr Hearn responded that the success of research work depends on its implementation and adoption in the field, which are largely dependent on extension work. Furthermore, extension needs are dynamic and the updating of farmers’ and officers’ extension needs requires research interventions. The need for participatory research and extension services came out in the regional extension meeting last year, and ACIAR is responding to this need.
ACIAR’s assistance in forest health surveillance was queried. Dr Hearn said that ACIAR sees this as a good project for forestry and is willing to provide support.
GTZMr Christoph Muziol, Team Leader/Chief Adviser, SPC/GTZ Pacific-German Regional Forestry Project
The cooperation between GTZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit) and SPC through the Pacific-German Regional Forestry Project (PGRFP) started in October 1993. All of the project’s activities in PICTs (Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu
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Melanesia Farmer First Network Ms Hannah Aqorau, Kastom Gaden Association, PO Box 942, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Ms Aqorau reported that the network’s activities to improve rural livelihoods include food processing, fish-pond farming for unemployed youths, appropriate technology in chicken farms, helping farmer schools (75 per cent practical curriculum), documenting lessons learnt, adopting agroforesty techniques, promoting rural communications, strengthening supsup gardens, and women’s health.
IAC New Caledonia M. Laurent L’Huillier, Director, New Caledonia Agricultural Research Centre (IAC)
M. L’Huillier reported that IAC was previously part of CIRAD but is now a local research institute partnering with local government and other state institutions and focusing on botanical taxonomy, kavalactones, coffee, pests and diseases, and socioeconomic studies.
IAC works with SPC, HortResearch and others. Research is focusing on environmentally friendly agricultural practices, minimal pesticide use, knowledge of traditional production systems, and developing the social sciences.
Another area of research focus is to improve and diversify production, with ticks on cattle as a particular challenge. IAC is also keen on promoting local innovations and using participatory approaches.
NZAIDPeter Zwart, Strategy, Advisory and Evaluation Group, MFAT
Mr Zwart expressed approval of the HOAFS meeting theme, ‘Managing change’. NZAID is still young – only four years old.
The highlight is on two policies: the environment, with a pro-poor focus and poverty eradication; and growth and livelihoods, with a pro-growth focus for private sector development.
There is also a 10-year strategy for Pacific engagement. NZAID supports the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and is funding collaborative projects with SOPAC, SPREP, PILN and SPC. It is providing up to NZD 1.5 million to address climate change.
The NZAID Biosecurity Officer position is being changed to a single liaison person within Biosecurity NZ. The position will soon be established and will assist country requests for market access.
The work programme for 2006–2007 includes breadfruit and jackfruit from the Fiji islands, squash from Tonga and citrus from Samoa, New Caledonia and Cook Islands.Mr Zwart raised concern with the issue of duplication of agriculture and forestry activities and said that NZAID is looking to maximise the impact of funding sources, e.g. combining the FAO meeting with the PHOVAPS meeting.
Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA)Dr Robin Yarrow, President, CVA, GPO Box 15411, Suva, Fiji
Dr Yarrow gave a short presentation on the activities of CVA. There are three Pacific vets sitting on the Council – Dr Ken Cokanasiga (Fiji), Dr Ilagi Puana (PNG) and Dr Mose Mautotasi (Samoa).
CVA’s main role is to promote the veterinary profession across the Commonwealth. Dr Yarrow showed great appreciation of the Paravet Training Programme and said CVA wishes to see the programme continued. CVA represents over 100,000 vets worldwide.
The next meeting of the Australasia/Oceania region is in Samoa in 2008. CVA is funded by the Commonwealth Foundation and its members are volunteers. SPC is a valuable partner of CVA.
Fresh produce manual launchSPC and Fiji Quarantine co-hosted the launch of the Fresh Produce Export System Manual and HOAFS delegates were invited to attend. The launch took place on Wednesday, 20th September. The manual is a valuable reference document developed specifically to address the systems approach to fresh produce exporting. The need for the manual was recorded as a concern by farmers, exporters and also Ministry of Agriculture staff at a BQA awareness meeting in 2003.
The implementation of the training manual will help improve fresh produce exports and with the introduction of accreditation will contribute to improving quality management systems. The accreditation provision is based on the systems approach for exported commodities, with the ultimate aim being to improve Fiji’s competitive edge in the global market place. Also contained in the manual are conditions that, when met, allow the National Plant Protection Organisation to issue the International Phytosanitary Certificate (IPC), which states that all pre-conditions to export, including treatment, inspections and field control procedures, have been met by the exporting country.
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PLENARY SESSION EIGHT – GROUP WORK
Group 1 – Biodiversity, health and nutritionHow can we – as researchers, extension workers and policy-makers in agriculture and forestry – stimulate the use of agriculture and forest biodiversity for the improved health and nutrition of the peoples of the Pacific?
1. Priority research• Baseline data – already exists (on what/who?)
– but agricultural research/extension don’t know about it
– need integration of health and agricultural information and priorities
– but not so much on WHY (behaviour)– this information needed to enhance demand
• Pilot studies– in ‘model areas’– as part of SPC country strategies– will help us learn how to work together– health/nutrition indicators
– there are some useful short-term indicators for health– document value of traditional wild and cultivated foods – nutritional (especially at variety value, combinations) – cultural – ecological (organic agriculture, others) – economic (value adding, import substitution, export) – domestication (ota in Fiji, Ministry strategy in Solomon Islands) – possible danger of promotion – drives loss of non-promoted varieties/crops – need to promote diversity, as well as specific crops/varieties
2. Information• Communication strategy needed
– joint health / agriculture / education ministries + NGOs + private sector– Cook Islands: formal MoU
– regional level: SPC country strategies– use social marketing tools– target group specific
– children as a strategic group to target– school meals
– healthy tea breaks and meals during government meetings– plant fruits trees around government office buildings– will affect policy-makers!
– use traditional structures– grandparents
– private sector companies– e.g. Punja’s
– role models– sports/entertainment stars
– need to train extension workers, community health workers in each other’s disciplines
3. National: health/agriculture/education ministries + NGOs + private sector
• Regional: SPC, WHO, FAO• Identify common platforms, e.g.
– World Food Day– pilot projects– SPC country strategies– National Plan of Action on Nutrition– National Integrated Strategic Plan
• Opportunity– Meeting of Health Ministers
– SPC statement on need for collaboration between health and agriculture sectors
– and vice versa
4. Mainstreaming• Both top-down and bottom-up
– Pacific Plan, MDGs, SPC country strategies
– national plans/strategies– traditional structures
• Identify areas in existing documents with which we can connect
5. Who integrates with whom• Regional level: SPC
– joint planning/budgeting• National level
– joint actions through existing structures– traditional– DSAP committees– model areas– pilot studies
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- S
PC
to a
ssis
t in
pro
vidi
ng
info
rmat
ion
on e
xist
ing
dow
nstre
am
proc
essi
ng
tech
nolo
gy to
P
ICTs
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entif
ying
m
arke
t acc
ess
for d
owns
tream
pr
oces
sed
prod
ucts
- P
roce
dure
s fo
r se
tting
up
cotta
ge
indu
stry
sca
le o
f op
erat
ion
- G
over
nmen
t, re
sour
ce o
wne
rs;
indu
stry
- Jo
b cr
eatio
n fo
r un
empl
oyed
- O
ptim
ise
on lo
cal
prod
ucts
- R
esea
rch
and
prom
otio
n on
ex
tract
ion
and
stab
ilisa
tion
of o
ils
from
frag
ranc
e pl
ants
(W
/F)
- P
roce
ssin
g vi
rgin
co
conu
t oil;
bio
fuel
pr
iorit
y in
PN
G
ISSU
EA
REA
S TH
AT N
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ST
REN
GTH
ENIN
GR
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L IN
TER
VEN
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N
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TER
VEN
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INC
IPA
L B
ENEF
ICIA
RIE
SC
OM
MEN
TS
Org
anic
cer
tifica
tion
and
fair
trad
e-
Reg
iona
l app
roac
h to
or
gani
c ag
ricul
ture
- R
egio
nal s
tand
ards
- Aw
aren
ess
on o
rgan
ic
agric
ultu
re
- H
ost t
he
stan
dard
-set
ting
wor
king
gro
up-
SP
C li
nks
with
IF
AD
/IFO
AM
pr
ojec
ts-
Awar
enes
s ac
tiviti
es /
capa
city
bui
ldin
g (tr
aini
ng, e
tc.)
- M
arke
t op
portu
nitie
s in
O
A an
d fa
ir tra
de-
Res
earc
h an
d de
velo
pmen
t
- S
uppo
rt th
e de
velo
pmen
t of
orga
nic
agric
ultu
re-
Sup
port
regi
onal
ap
proa
ch to
or
gani
c ag
ricul
ture
- G
over
nmen
ts-
Civ
il so
ciet
y or
gani
satio
ns
(NG
Os)
- Fa
rmer
s/
smal
lhol
ders
- W
omen
’s g
roup
s-
Sch
ool s
tude
nts
- P
ublic
opi
nion
- N
atio
nal a
nd
regi
onal
org
anic
as
soci
atio
ns
- Mic
ro-fi
nanc
e se
t-up?
- Gro
up re
com
men
ds
that
org
anic
ce
rtific
atio
n be
su
ppor
ted
Fore
st c
ertifi
catio
n-
Nat
iona
l pol
icie
s on
su
stai
nabl
e fo
rest
m
anag
emen
t-
Nat
iona
l sta
ndar
ds fo
r ce
rtific
atio
n
– Fa
cilit
ate
the
crite
ria a
nd
indi
cato
rs fo
r SFM
(n
atio
nal a
nd
regi
onal
)–
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iting
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acity
be
fore
cer
tifica
tion
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cces
s–
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ssis
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otia
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ll va
cant
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Bio
secu
rity
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AS
AP
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rmer
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ate
sect
or-
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ernm
ent
- C
onst
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ts to
a
regi
onal
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ort
prot
ocol
?
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ISSU
EA
REA
S TH
AT N
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ST
REN
GTH
ENIN
GR
EGIO
NA
L IN
TER
VEN
TIO
N
NEE
DED
SCO
PE O
F IN
TER
VEN
TIO
NPR
INC
IPA
L B
ENEF
ICIA
RIE
SC
OM
MEN
TS
Join
t mar
ketin
g (r
egio
nal
on n
iche
pro
duct
s)–
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t mar
ketin
g–
Mec
hani
sm-
See
k P
ITIC
as
sist
ance
in
faci
litat
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join
t m
arke
ting
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prod
ucts
to n
iche
m
arke
ts-
Feas
ibili
ty s
tudy
–
viab
le o
r not
Cro
p an
d fo
rest
pro
duct
di
vers
ifica
tion
– ni
che
mar
kets
- M
arke
t ide
ntifi
catio
n,
com
mod
ity p
athw
ay
supp
ly c
hain
- N
iche
cro
p an
d fo
rest
pr
oduc
t ide
ntifi
catio
n
- C
olle
ct a
nd
diss
emin
ate
info
rmat
ion
- P
rodu
ct in
vent
ory
data
base
- Fa
rmer
s-
Priv
ate
sect
or-
Gov
ernm
ents
– N
iche
pro
duct
s of
the
regi
on id
entifi
ed a
nd
used
as
mar
ketin
g st
rate
gy –
com
mon
P
acifi
c id
entit
y –
uniq
uene
ss
Impo
rt s
ubst
itutio
n-
Gov
ernm
ent p
olic
ies
- R
evie
w ta
riff c
onsi
sten
t w
ith W
TO ru
les
- C
olla
bora
te w
ith
PIP
SO
to lo
bby
gove
rnm
ents
- Ta
rget
MS
G-
Sup
port
natio
nal
awar
enes
s in
itiat
ives
on
impo
rt su
bstit
utio
n
- Fa
rmer
s-
Priv
ate
sect
or-
Gov
ernm
ents
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ISSU
EA
REA
S TH
AT N
EED
ST
REN
GTH
ENIN
GR
EGIO
NA
L IN
TER
VEN
TIO
N
NEE
DED
SCO
PE O
F IN
TER
VEN
TIO
NPR
INC
IPA
L B
ENEF
ICIA
RIE
SC
OM
MEN
TS
Join
t mar
ketin
g (r
egio
nal
on n
iche
pro
duct
s)–
Join
t mar
ketin
g–
Mec
hani
sm-
See
k P
ITIC
as
sist
ance
in
faci
litat
ing
join
t m
arke
ting
of
prod
ucts
to n
iche
m
arke
ts-
Feas
ibili
ty s
tudy
–
viab
le o
r not
Cro
p an
d fo
rest
pro
duct
di
vers
ifica
tion
– ni
che
mar
kets
- M
arke
t ide
ntifi
catio
n,
com
mod
ity p
athw
ay
supp
ly c
hain
- N
iche
cro
p an
d fo
rest
pr
oduc
t ide
ntifi
catio
n
- C
olle
ct a
nd
diss
emin
ate
info
rmat
ion
- P
rodu
ct in
vent
ory
data
base
- Fa
rmer
s-
Priv
ate
sect
or-
Gov
ernm
ents
– N
iche
pro
duct
s of
the
regi
on id
entifi
ed a
nd
used
as
mar
ketin
g st
rate
gy –
com
mon
P
acifi
c id
entit
y –
uniq
uene
ss
Impo
rt s
ubst
itutio
n-
Gov
ernm
ent p
olic
ies
- R
evie
w ta
riff c
onsi
sten
t w
ith W
TO ru
les
- C
olla
bora
te w
ith
PIP
SO
to lo
bby
gove
rnm
ents
- Ta
rget
MS
G-
Sup
port
natio
nal
awar
enes
s in
itiat
ives
on
impo
rt su
bstit
utio
n
- Fa
rmer
s-
Priv
ate
sect
or-
Gov
ernm
ents
Group 3 – Atoll agriculture and forestry
Technical Livestock feed
Livestock husbandry
Water salinity
Genetic resource conservation
Crop diversification
Integrated coconut production system
Soil improvement
Pests and diseases
Inventory Traditional knowledge
Hydroponics
Research trial
Managing invasive species
Coordination Sharing of information
Assistance Databases on atoll agriculture
Training
Marketing Market information
Value adding Quality Import clearance
Trade Distribution system
Export certification
Storage
Infrastructure Water Sea wall Wharfs Roads/causeways
Sewage system
Market infrastructure
Health Promote healthy lifestyle
Sanitation
Promote local food crops
Nutrition
�2
Group 4 – Climate change and food security
1. Pacific Plan to be updated to appropriately address:
o Natural resources management
o Climate change adaptation and mitigation issues
2. SPC to support PICTs to fulfil obligations under multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs, e.g. UNFCCC), through CROP working groups and PAFPnet.
3. SPC to support national governments in developing appropriate:
a. Land use policies and legislation
b. Land use plans, with particular attention to:- integrated watershed / catchment
management, e.g. to mitigate floods
- community-based approaches to sustainable forest management (including certification of sustainable forest management and timber products)
- reforestation, for the production of both timber and biofuel, especially on degraded and marginal lands (e.g. on former sugar areas in Fiji).
4. SPC and GTZ to host a regional seminar to raise awareness on the Kyoto Protocol and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and the potential for CDM projects in the Pacific.
5. SPC to raise awareness of the need for national biodiversity strategies and action plans to consider possible impacts of climate change.
6. Region-wide germplasm screening for drought/salt/heat tolerance with an expanded (from PNG to other PICTs) PARCIP (Pacific Regional Crop Improvement Programme) as a mechanism.
7. SPC to assist PICT governments to build community awareness, knowledge and preparedness for adaptation measures, and with the development of a regional database.
8. SPC to support screening of livestock breeds and feeds for climate change tolerance.
9. SPC to mainstream climate change issues into its current work programmes and the next LRD Strategic Plan.
10. SPC to support the transfer of information and technologies through strengthened networking with: – international organisations and other affected island states
– regional organisations (e.g. USP, SOPAC, SPREP) – civil society, including cross-sectorally.
11. SPC to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on the spread of pests and diseases of plants and animals, e.g. zoonosis diseases that can spread from animals to humans, such as avian influenza.
12. SPC to develop and submit a project proposal to the German Government, and other donors.
��
HOAFS 2006Final resolutions
Preamble
HOAFS expresses its concern at the impacts of climate change, globalisation of trade, rises in energy costs, erosion of biodiversity, and unsustainable management of natural resources in the Pacific. These are coupled with high rates of population increase, urban migration, a rise in the rates of non-communicable diseases and decreasing interest in agriculture among the young.
As professionals responsible for managing our countries’ agriculture, livestock and forestry resources we must not allow ourselves to become passive victims of these changes but act decisively to both mitigate and adapt to them.
We support LRD’s regional approach to finding solutions. We also commend LRD for broadening its scope of work and collaborating with other SPC divisions, with other agencies and with local communities in a participatory manner to meet these challenges.
Endorsement
• HOAFS endorses the recommendations of the recent PPPO, RTMPP and PHOVAPS meetings.
Recommendations
HOAFS recommends that LRD:
• Work to include the agriculture, livestock and forestry components in the ‘Early Winners’ part of the Pacific Plan
• Support PICTs to develop sustainable land use policies
• Promote the Landcare concept and develop a project proposal in this area
• Integrate and mainstream the different approaches to community-based sustainable land resources management and develop indicators of sustainability
• Give increased profile to livestock issues in general and in EDF10 in particular, recognising that animal husbandry is a vital part of agriculture in the Pacific
• Continue to develop activities on the control of priority
pests, diseases and invasive species, in particular taro beetle in Kiribati and the African tulip tree
• Assist Niue in urgently carrying out a forest inventory in the wake of Cyclone Heta and the development of a forest management plan
• Gather and evaluate relevant information on biofuel technologies, including economic data
• Extend paravet training to other countries• Strengthen avian influenza preparedness programmes
at national and regional levels• Develop with relevant partners a strategy to promote
agriculture among young people• Collaborate with Landcare Research to establish a
Pacific soils portal based at LRD• Foster with relevant partners the growth and continued
development of the Pacific Agricultural and Forestry Policy Network (PAFPnet)
• Facilitate the development and eventual implementation of a TCP proposal for FAO on the Pacific Regional Crop Improvement Programme (PARCIP)
• Continue to work closely with USP in the restructuring of the USP School of Agriculture and Food Technology and the implementation of recommendations of recent studies:– Investigate the feasibility of developing a veterinary
science programme at USP in partnership with an established relevant faculty of veterinary science
– Collaborate with relevant partners to assess the food safety needs of PICTs and develop strategies to address them, including the possible establishment of national food safety agencies in areas where they do not exist
– Collaborate with USP and other partners in the development of a regional course on climate change as it relates to agriculture and forestry
– Strengthen technical forestry and agroforestry training at USP
– Develop plans for a regional formal qualification in biosecurity
– Encourage USP to develop an attachment programme, in particular with the private sector
• Continue supporting and developing the Pacific Islands Extension Network (PIEN) and the Extension Award:– Consider separate prizes for subregions and take
gender balance into account• Work with partners to develop a Pacific treatment and
accreditation scheme to support PICTs in implementing ISPM 15
• Continue supporting the Pacific Ant Prevention Programme
��
• Implement its plans to establish the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT) and continue strengthening regional networking on PGR (PAPGREN)
• Ensure that papers presented at the next HOAFS meeting show a balance between crop, livestock and forestry issues
• Work with the French Territories to translate French publications into English for the information of all other regional countries
In biodiversity for health and nutrition HOAFS further recommends that LRD:
• With other SPC divisions, share and integrate health and agriculture information and statistics and priorities at regional level, and assist countries in doing the same at national level:– SPC country strategies should continue to
strengthen the linkages between the sectors through joint visits and planning
• Carry out pilot studies (e.g. in ‘model areas’) on the links between biodiversity and health/nutrition, focusing on the behavioural constraints to adoption of healthy foods and food habits
• Determine (in partnership with relevant agencies) and document the nutritional and health aspects of traditional crops at species and variety levels, taking into account food preparation and food combinations
• Investigate the feasibility of ‘domestication’ of selected wild species for health and nutrition
• Develop jointly with other SPC divisions a communications strategy on ‘biodiversity for health and nutrition’ focusing on children:– This should involve agriculture, health and
education ministries, NGOs, churches, the private sector, and traditional social structures
– Use sports and entertainment stars to drive the message home
• Organise joint training of extension workers and community health workers in each other’s disciplines
• Increase its research and development focus on high nutritional value traditional crops and species that are accessible and acceptable to Pacific peoples
• Identify common platforms and areas in existing documents that we can use to spread the message of ‘biodiversity for health and nutrition’:
– World Food Day
– Pilot projects (see above)
– SPC country strategies
– National Plan of Action on Nutrition
– National Integrated Strategic Plan
– PAFPnet
• Use the opportunity of the Meeting of Health Ministers in March 2007 to make a statement on the need for collaboration between the health and agriculture/forestry sectors
In agricultural and forestry trade issues in the Pacific
HOAFS further recommends that LRD: (Note: all trade recommendations assume collaboration with PITIC (ForSec) and other relevant regional agencies)• Support the development of national and regional
trade standards on agricultural produce and assist with countries’ compliance
• Support the establishment of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management and auditing capacity for forest certification at national and regional levels
• Support the regional approach to organic agriculture and fair trade and the development of Pacific regional organic agriculture standards (for both crops and livestock) by 2008 through the IFOAM/IFAD project, with LRD as hosting organisation
• Conduct a feasibility study on potential value-added products (including livestock) and appropriate downstream processing technologies, with compilation and assessment of information on existing technologies to be part of the study (to also cover biofuel, hydro and solar energy, and other alternative fuel sources)
• Assist in providing relevant training and technical expertise on downstream processing technologies
• Facilitate market access for downstream processed products, including post-harvest technologies for fresh produce
• Assist in documenting procedures and processes for setting up operations on a cottage industry scale
• Identify and document success stories and share lessons
• Assist in negotiation of export protocols (including a regional protocol for common products) and fast-track the appointment of a Pacific Island biosecurity officer in New Zealand
• Carry out a feasibility study on the viability of a joint regional marketing approach
• Seek Pacific Islands Trade & Investment Commission (PITIC) assistance in facilitating the joint marketing of products to niche markets through the dissemination of information
• Develop an inventory of all niche agricultural, livestock and forestry products and disseminate this information in the region
• Study the improvement of the commodity supply chain for products used locally by Pacific populations that are currently not exported, but could in due course provide commercial value
• Work with other agencies to assist resource owners to negotiate intellectual property rights
• Collaborate with the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) to support national lobbying efforts to strengthen import substitution of agricultural, forestry and livestock products, and target the Melanesian Spearhead Group for support
• Support national awareness initiatives on local products that can substitute for imports
• Carry out studies investigating opportunities for promoting local agricultural, livestock and forestry products for the tourism and pharmaceutical industries, strengthening investment opportunities
��
On atoll agriculture and forestry HOAFS further recommends that LRD:
• Facilitate with relevant partners the establishment of a centre for atoll agriculture and forestry research
• Promote and strengthen existing activities in integrated coconut-based farming systems incorporating traditional and exotic multi-purpose species
• Promote and strengthen organic farming, including organic animal feeds and composting for animal waste management
• Promote healthy lifestyles in atolls• Carry out research on adaptation to – and mitigation of
– increasing soil salinity
On climate change and food security HOAFS further recommends that LRD:
• Discuss with SPREP food security activities under the Pacific Adaptation on Climate Change programme and ensure that food security activities in PICTs are well coordinated at the regional level
• Host with GTZ a regional seminar to raise awareness on the Kyoto Protocol and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and the potential benefits of CDM reforestation and afforestation projects for the Pacific in supporting sustainable development and food security
• Mainstream climate change and food security issues into current work programmes and the next LRD Strategic Plan
• Facilitate region-wide biodiversity screening/evaluation for drought/salt/heat tolerance traits, possibly through PARCIP but taking into consideration germplasm from outside of PNG
• Facilitate the provision of planting materials and other relevant resources to affected farmers after disasters
• Provide support to countries to maintain biosafety standards during the movement of materials and food aid in the wake of disasters
• Support PICTs in the screening of livestock breeds and feeds for tolerance to climate change
• Assist PICTs to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on the spread of pests and diseases of plants and animals – for example, zoonoses such as avian influenza, and weed species – and to build up national and regional capacity to respond to this
• Assist PICTs to build community preparedness through farm-level adaptation programmes (crop production techniques, food processing/storage, crop diversity, etc.)
• Facilitate the sharing of information and technologies (composting, soil amelioration, etc.) through strengthened networking within and outside the region, especially with similar regions, such as the Caribbean and Seychelles
• Work with countries to develop and submit regional project proposals on climate change and food security to the German Government, and other donors
• Document and share indicators of the effects of climate change to raise awareness within communities
Actions requested of directors
• Provide advice on focal points for taxonomy (PACINET)
• Provide feedback to LRD and FAO on the status of national discussions on ratification of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)
• Provide feedback on the regional strategy for the Global Crop Diversity Trust
��
ANNEX 1
SECOND REGIONAL MEETING OF HEADS OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY SERVICES (HOAFS)
Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi, Fiji18 - 22 September 2006
SESSION/TIME TOPICS SPEAKERS
Monday, September 18 2006 DAY 1
8.00am – 9.00am Registration
9.00am – 9.30am Official Opening (Separate programme)
Photo session and morning tea
Plenary
Session 1
10.00am to 11.00
Chair: Mr. Nga Mataio, Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Cook Islands
• Keynote address• Confirmation of Chair and appointment of
Rapporteurs• Adoption of Agenda and Working Arrangements• Report of the Director, Land Resources• Open discussions
Mrs. Suliana Siwatibau
DLRDParticipants
Session 211.00am - 1.00pm
Country Reports Country representatives
1.00pm - 2.00pm Lunch
2.00pm - 3.15pm Country Reports (cont) Country representatives
3.15pm - 3.45pm Afternoon tea
3.45pm - 5.30pm Country Reports (con’t) Country representatives
6.30pm – 7.30pm Welcome cocktail by SPC
Tuesday, 19 September 2006 DAY 2, Plenary
8.30am to 9.00am Reflections on day 1 LRD
��
Session 39.00am – 9.30am
Progress in implementation of LRD Integrated Strategic Plan and HOAFS Recommendations• Sustainable Management of Integrated Agriculture
and Forestry Systems
LRD
Session 3
9.30am – 10.00pm
Progress in implementation of LRD Integrated Strategic Plan and HOAFS Recommendations
• Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation
LRD
10.00am – 10.30am Morning tea
Session 410.30am – 11.30pm
Ongoing Initiatives
• Development of Sustainable Agriculture in the Pacific (DSAP)
• LRD/GTZ Model areas for community based Natural Resources Management
• Plant Protection in the Pacific (PPP)
LRD and Partners
LRD and Partners
LRD and Partners
Session 511.30am – 1.00pm
Agriculture and Forestry Development Policy
• Pacific Plan – Update on progress
• Pacific 2020
• EU Pacific Strategy for EDF 10
• Managing change – SPC/LRD perspective
Forum Secretariat
AusAID
European Union
LRD
1.00pm – 2.00pm Lunch
Session 6
2.00pm – 3.00pm
New Initiatives
• Pacific Regional Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Project (PRIPP)
• Facilitating Agricultural Commodity Trade (FACT); Commodity Chain Studies; ISPM 15
• Agriculture and Forestry Policy Network (AFPN)
LRD
3.00pm – 3.30pm Afternoon tea
��
Session 6
3.30pm - 5.30pm
New Initiatives
• Pacific Ant Prevention Programme (PAPP)
• Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT)
• Sustainable Land Management and Land Care Concept for the Pacific
• Organic Agriculture
• Pacific Regional Crops Improvement Program (PARCIP)
LRD
Evening Session
Session 7
6.30pm – 8.00pm
Networks
• Pacific Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN)
• Pacific Islands Network for Taxonomy (PACINET)
• Pacific Islands Extension Network (PIEN)
• South Pacific Agricultural Laboratory Network (SPACNET) and proposed Pacific Soils Portal
• Diet and Physical Activity Strategy (DPAS)
LRD and Partners
8.00pm – 9.00pm Dinner hosted by SPC, R.J.Reid
Wednesday, 20 September 2006 DAY 3, Plenary
8.30 am – 9.00 am Reflections on Day 2 LRD
9.00 am – 9.30 am • Launching of the Fiji Fresh Produce Export Systems Training Manual by Hon.Senator Kaliopate Tavola, Minister of Foreign Affairs & External Trade (separate programme)
9.30 am – 10.00 Morning tea
��
Group work
Session 8
10.00 am – 10.45 am
• Introduction to topics and group composition
Topics on the theme of Managing Change:
o Biodiversity, health and nutrition
o Agriculture and Forestry Commodity Trade
o Atoll agriculture and forestry
oClimate Change and Food Security
Group work
LRD and
Participants
10.45am – 1.00pm Group work (cont) Participants
1.00pm – 2.00pm Lunch
2.00pm – 3.15pm Group work (cont) Participants
3.15pm – 3.45pm Afternoon tea
3.45pm – 5.30pm Group work (cont) Participants
�0
Thursday, 21 September 2006 DAY 4, Plenary and Field Trip
Session 8
8.30am – 9.30am
Group reports and discussions Participants
Session 9
9.00am – 9.20am
USP SoAF Demand study LRD and Partners
9.20am – 10.00am Morning tea
10.00am – 6.00pm Field trip All participants
7.00pm – 8.30pmFarewell dinner hosted by the Fiji Government
PIEN Awards Night
Friday, 22 September 2006 DAY 5, Plenary
8.30am – 9.00am Reflections on Days 3 and 4 SPC LRD
Session 10
9.00 am – 10.00 am
Discussions on group work results and general discussions Participants
10.00am – 10.30am Morning tea
Session 11
10.30am – 1.00am
Statements from SPC LRD Partners:ACIAR, AusAID, CTA, EU, FAO, French AID, GTZ, NZAID, PIFS, SOPAC, USP/SoAF.
LRD Partners
1.00pm – 2.00pm Lunch
2.00pm – 4.00pm Break
Session 12
4.00pm – 5.00pm
Report and recommendations of 2nd Regional Conference of Heads of Agriculture and Forestry
SPC LRD and Rapporteurs
Session 13
5.00pm – 5.30pm
Other Matters
Closing
�1
ANNEX 2
SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY
SECOND REGIONAL MEETING OFHEADS OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY SERVICES (HOAFS)
(Nadi, Fiji : 18-22 September 2006)
PARTICIPANTS LIST
American Samoa Dr Leoleoga Leituala Territorial VeterinarianDepartment of AgricultureAmerican Samoa GovernmentPO Box 7075PAGOPAGO 96799Tel: (684) 699 9272 / 699 9445Fax : (684) 699 4031 / 699 2896Email :[email protected] Or: [email protected]
Australia Dr Simon Hearn
Senior AdviserAustralian Centre for International Agricultural ResearchGPO Box 1571, Canberra ACT 2601AustraliaTel : +61 2 6217 0500Fax : +61 2 6217 0501Email : [email protected]
Cook Islands Mr Ngatokorua (Nga) MataioSecretary Ministry of Agriculture P O Box 96, RAROTONGATel : (682) 28711Fax : (682) 21881Email/Courriel : [email protected] : [email protected]
Cook Islands Mr Otheniel TangianauChief Executive OfficerOffice for the Minister for Island AdministrationRAROTONGATel : (682) 20321Fax : (682) 24321Email : [email protected]
Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands
Mr. Manny PangelinanActing CNMI ForesterDepartment of Lands and Natural Resources (DLNR)Ministry of Natural Resources P O Box 10007Saipan 96950Tel : (670) 3222 438Fax : (670) 3222 633Email :
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Federated States of Micronesia Not Attending
French Polynesia Mr Djeen Cheou Chef de département du développement de l’Agriculture Ministère de l’Agriculture de l’Elevage et des ForêtsService du développement ruralBP. 100, Tahiti, 98713Tel: (689) 42.81.44Fax : (689) 42.08.31Email : [email protected]
Mr Stéphane DefranouxAdjoint au Chef de département de la Forêt et de la gestion de l’espace ruralMinistère de l’Agriculture de l’Elevage et des ForêtsService du développement ruralBP. 100, Tahiti, 98713Tel : (689) 42.81.44Fax: (689) 42.08.31Email : [email protected]
Fiji Islands
Fiji Islands
Mr Timoci RasovoDeputy SecretaryMinistry of AgricultureMAF HQ, Robinson ComplexGrantham Road, RaiwaqaSuvaTel : (679) 3384-233 ext. 219Fax: (679) 3385-048Email: [email protected]
Mr Sakiusa TubunaChief EconomistEconomic Planning and Statistics DivisionMinistry of AgriculturePrivate Mail BagRAIWAQATel : (679) 338 4233Fax : (679) 338 5048Email : [email protected]
Mr Osea TuinivanuaActing Conservator of ForestsMinistry of Fisheries & ForestrySuvaTel : 330 9427Fax : 3318692Email: [email protected]: [email protected]
Fiji Islands Mr Samuela LagatakiActing Deputy Conservator of Forests (Operations)Ministry of Fisheries and ForestsTakayawa Building, ToorakSUVATel : (679) 3301611Fax : (679) 3318692Email : [email protected] : [email protected]
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Guam Not Attending
Kiribati Ms Kinaai KairoDirector of AgricultureMinistry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural DevelopmentP O Box 267BIKENIBEU, TarawaTel: (686) 28096/28108Fax : (686) 28121Email : [email protected] : [email protected]
Marshall Islands Mr. Frederick MullerSecretaryMinistry of Resources and DevelopmentP O Box 1727MAJURO, MH 96960Tel: (692) 625-3206 / 4020Fax : (692) 625 7471
Email : [email protected]
Nauru Not Attending
New Caledonia M. Laurent L’HuillierDirecteur Adjoint á la Valorisation et Transferts Institut Agronomique Calédonien (IAC)BP 73 98 890 PaitaNoumea CedexTel : (687) 43.74.15Fax: (687) 43.74.16Email: [email protected]
Niue Ms Gaylene TasmaniaDeputy DirectorDepartment of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesP O Box 74ALOFITel: ( 683) 4032Fax : (683) 4079Email : [email protected] : [email protected]
Palau Mr Fernando SengebauDirectorMinistry of Resources and DevelopmentBureau of AgricultureP O Box 460, KOROR, PW 96940Tel : (680) 488 8171Fax : (680) 4881475Email: [email protected] Or: [email protected]
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Papua New Guinea Mr Vele KagenaActing Deputy Secretary for Corporate and Policy DivisionDepartment of Agriculture and LivestockP O Box 2033PORT MORESBY, NATIONAL CAPITAL DISTRICTTel: (675) 321 4096 / 321 3302/3211286Fax : (675) 321 1387Email: [email protected]: kagenav@datec/net.pg
Samoa Mr Malaki IakopoChief Executive OfficerMinistry of Agriculture and FisheriesP O Box 1874, APIATel: (685) 26841 / 22561Fax: (685) 24576Email : [email protected]
Samoa Mr Toni LeuteleAssistant Chief Executive Officer – ForestryMinistry of Natural Resources and EnvironmentAPIATel: (685) 21054Fax: (685) 29707Email: [email protected]
Solomon Islands Dr Israel WorePermanent SecretaryMinistry of Agriculture and LivestockP O Box G13, HONIARATel: (677) 28 615Fax: (677) 28 365Email: [email protected] : (677) 73626
Solomon Islands Mr Gordon KonairamoActing Commissioner of ForestsDepartment of Forests, Environment and ConservationP O Box G24HONIARATel: (677) 28 802Fax: (677) 22 824Email: [email protected]: (677) 24215
Tokelau Mr. Mose PelasioActing Director of Economic Development and EnvironmentNatural Resources and EnvironmentOffice of the Council of FaipuleFakaofoTel: (685) 3127Fax: (685) 3108 / 3134Email: [email protected]
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Tonga Dr Viliami Manu Deputy DirectorDepartment of Agriculture and FoodP O Box 14NUKU’ALOFATel: (676) 23 038 / 37474Fax: (676) 24 271 / 37476Email: [email protected]
Tonga Mr. Taniela Havea HoponoaActing Secretary for ForestsMinistry of Agriculture & Food, Forests and FisheriesP O Box 892NUKU’ALOFATel: (676) 29 500Fax: (676) 30 040Email: [email protected]
Tuvalu Mr. Itaia LausaveveDirector of AgricultureMinistry of Natural Resources, Land and EnvironmentDepartment of AgricultureElisefou, VAITUPU ISLANDTel: (688) 20 836Fax: (688) 20 826 or 20167Email: [email protected]
Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Mr. Lui Watson JohnDeputy DirectorDepartment of ForestryPrivate Mail Bag 9064, PORT VILATel: (678) 23171 / 23856Fax: (678) 25051Email: [email protected] Or : Email/[email protected]
Mr Ruben MarkwardExecutive OfficerMinistry of AgriculturePMB 9039, PORT VILATel: (678) 23-406Fax: (678) 26498Email :[email protected]
Wallis & Futuna M. Francois NuttensChargé de missionDirection du Service territorial des affaires rurales et de la pêche de Wallis et FutunaBP 19, Mata utu98600 UVEATel: (681) 72.04.08 / 72.04.00Fax: (681) 72.04.04Email: [email protected] Or : [email protected]
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OBSERVERS
Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA)
Dr. Robin Hardy YarrowPresident, Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA)GPO Box 15411, Suva, FijiTel: (679) 3384 980 Fax: (679) 3384 980Email: [email protected]
Direction du développement économique de la Province NordNew Caledonia
M Michel HellyChef du Service de l’AgricultureDirection du développement économique de la Province NordBP 41, 98860 KONÉNouvelle-CalédonieTel: +687 47 72 39 Fax: +687 47 71 35Email: [email protected]
Fiji Ms Mereani RokotuibunaDSAP GREA - FIJIMinistry of AgriculturePO Box 5442, RAIWAQATel: (679) 3384-900Fax: (679) 3384-058Email: [email protected]
Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
Mr. Aru MathiasFAO Forestry OfficerOffice of the FAO Sub-regional Representative for the PacificPrivate Mail Bag, APIA, SamoaTel./Téléphone : (685) 20710 / 22127Fax/Télécopieur : (685) 22126Email/Courriel : [email protected] : [email protected]
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)
Mr Michele MaccariProgram CoordinatorICEA - Strada Maggiore, 2940125 BOLOGNAItalyTel: +39 051 272986Fax: +39 051 232011Email: [email protected] Or : [email protected]
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI)
Dr. Percy E. SajiseRegional DirectorInternational Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI)Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific and OceaniaP O Box 236 UPM Post Office43400 Serdang, SelangorMALAYSIATel: +603 8942 3891Fax: +603 8948 7655Email: [email protected]
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Landcare Research NZ LtdPO Box 40Lincoln 7640New ZealandTel : (643) 321-9999Fax : (643) 321-9998
Mr James R Frank BarringerGIS ScientistTel: (643) 321-9609Email: [email protected]
Mr Dave Murdoch LeslieResearch Associate Tel: (643) 544-4199Email: [email protected]
Melanesian Farmers First Network Ms Hannah AqorauKastom Gaden AssociationPO Box 742HONIARATel : (677) 39551Fax : (677) 30840Email: [email protected]
National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI)
Dr Raghunath GhodakeDirector GeneralNational Agriculture Research Institute (NARI)PO Box 4415, LaeMorobe Province, PNGTel : (675) 4751-444Fax: (675) 4751-450 / 4751-449Email : [email protected]
Natures’ Way Cooperative(Fiji) LtdPO Box 9825, NasosoNADI, Fiji
Mr Sant KumarGeneral ManagerTel: (679) 672-4566Fax : (679) 672-4569Email: [email protected]: (679) 9963303
NZAID Mr Peter ZwartRural Economic Development AdvisorStrategy, Advisory & Evaluation Group (SAEG)NZAID, Nga Hoe Tuputupu-mai-tawhitiPrivate Bag 18-901, WELLINGTONTel: (644) 439 8765Fax : (644) 439 8513Email : [email protected]
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Mr George BeckEU Technical OfficerPMB, SuvaTel : (679) 3312-600Fax : (679) 3312-696Emai : [email protected]
R.J. Reid (NZ)NEW ZEALAND
Mr Rick James ReidMarketing ManagerR.J.Reid (NZ) Limted / Taylor Build Ltd45 Forge Road, SilverdaleAUCKLAND, New ZealandTel: +64 9 426 0606Fax: +64 9 426 0607Email: [email protected]
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University of the South Pacific Université du Pacifique SudFIJI
Dr Pa’o LuteruDean, Faculty of Islands and OceansUniversity of the South PacificPrivate Mail BagSUVA, Fiji IslandsTel: (679) 323 2944Fax : (679) 323 1558
World Health OrganisationFIJI
Dr Temo Kilioni WaqanivaluNutrition & Physical Activity OfficerLevel 4, Provident Plaza 1Downtown Boulevard33 Ellery Street, SuvaTel: (679) 3304-600Fax : (679) 3311-530Email: [email protected]
Women in Business Development Inc.SAMOA
Ms Adimaimalaga Tafuna’iExecutive DirectorWomen in Business Development Inc.P O Box 6591APIA, SamoaTel: (685) 21 959Fax: (685) 25 246Email: [email protected]
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SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY
Headquarters/NouméaB.P.D5, 98848 NOUMÉA CEDEX, Nouvelle-Calédonie
Tel: (687) 26.20.00 – Fax: (687) 26.38.18Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.spc.int
Mrs Judith van EijnattenParticipatory Ext.(French Territories)Email : [email protected]
Mr Viliami PulokaPhysical Activity AdviserEmail/Courriel : [email protected]
Ms Aurélie HamaideInterpreter (Interpretation Team leader)Email : [email protected]
Mr Yves CounasseTranslatorEmail: [email protected]
Mr Roy BenyonInterpreterEmail: [email protected]
Mrs Anne DuboisSecretary (French report)Email: [email protected]
Mr Patrick DelhayeInterpreterEmail: [email protected]
Ms Karen FukofukaNutrition AdviserEmail: [email protected]
SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY
Private Mail Bag, SUVA, FijiTel: (679) 3370733 – Fax: (679) 3370021/3386-386
Email: [email protected]: http://www.spc.int
Mr Aleki SisifaDirector, Land Resources DivisionExt : 214Email: [email protected]
Dr Ken CokanasigaAnimal Health and Production AdviserExt : 236Email : [email protected]
Dr Mary TaylorRegional Germplasm Centre AdviserExt: 271Email: [email protected]
Mr Sairusi BulaiRegional Forests and Trees AdviserTel : 330-0432/330-5244Email : [email protected]
Mr Inoke RatukalouLand Use and Resources Policy AdviserExt: 223E-mail: [email protected]
Dr Danny HunterDSAP Team LeaderExt : 295Email: [email protected]
Mr Luigi GuarinoAdviser (Plant Genetic Resources)Ext./Poste: 230Email : [email protected]
Mr Stephen HazelmanCoordinator, Information and ExtExt: 228Email : [email protected]
Dr Siosiua HalavatauDSAP Participatory Ext./Poste :ension OfficerExt : 294Email: [email protected]
Ms Bernadette MasianiniDSAP Communications OfficerExt : 293Email: [email protected]
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Mr Konrad Englberger Plant Protection Adviser and Coordinator Plant Protection (Micronesia)P.O. Box 2299Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941 FSM FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIATel : (691) 320 7523Fax : (691) 320 4647Email : [email protected]
Mr Simon O’ConnorCoordinator (Pacific Ant Prevention Programme)Land Resources DivisionSecretariat of the Pacific Communityc/- Ministry of Agriculture & ForestryP O Box 2526WELLINGTON, New ZealandTel : (644) 819 0539Fax : (644) 819 0736Email : [email protected]
Ms Eva GonnermannIntegrated Forestry ExpertKolonia, Pohnpei, 96941 FSMFEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIATel : (691) 320 5950Fax : (691) 320 5950Email : [email protected]
Dr Gilianne BrodieProgram Coordinator/Development Officer Pacific Island Partnership for Taxonomy (PACINET)Secretarit of the Pacific Communityc/- USP, Laucala Campus, SuvaTel : (679) 323-2876Fax: (679) 323-1534Email: [email protected]
SPC/GTZ Pacific German Regional Forestry ProjectPO Box 14041, Suva, FIJI.House 10, Forum Secretariat ComplexRatu Sukuna Road, Suva.Tel : (6790 330-5983Fax : (679) 331-5446
Mr Christoph MuziolTeam Leader/Chief Adviser SPC/GTZ Pacific German Regional Forestry ProjectEmail : [email protected]
Mr Markus StreilForestry Operations Specialist Email: [email protected]
Ms Christine FungParticipatory Land Use Planning (PLUP) and Moderation Specialist (SPC/GTZ) - GTZ Regional Forestry ProjectEmail : [email protected]
Dr Rainer BlankLand Management Adviser Email :[email protected]
Mr Jalesi MatebotoCommunity Forestry SpecialistGTZ Forestry ProgrammeEmail : [email protected]
Mr Gabriel SoqeChairmanLandowners Association of Drawac/- SPC/GTZ Pacific German Regional Forestry Project
Mr Sada Nand LalEntomologist (Plant Protection)Ext : 225Email : [email protected]
Mr Warea OrapaCoordinator (Weeds Management)Plant HealthExt : 284E-mail: [email protected]
Mr Roy MasamduBiosecurity & Trade Facilitation OfficerExt./Poste : 258Email/Courriel : [email protected]
Dr Richard DavisPlant Pathologist (Virologist)Ext./Poste: 224Email/Courriel: [email protected]
Mr John Yee ChiefManager – Finance and Administration(Corporate Services)Ext./Poste : 201Email/Courriel : [email protected]
Mrs Sushil NarayanDivisional Administration Officer (LRD)Ext./Poste : 226Email/Courriel : [email protected]
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Mr Simione TukidiaPublications Assistant (Plant Health)Ext: 233Email : [email protected]
Mr Salend KumarExt./Poste :ension Assistant (Plant Health)Ext: 243Email: [email protected]
Ms Valerie TuiaCurator - Regional Germplasm Centre (RGC)Ext : 274Email : [email protected]
Mr Emil AdamsInformation Officer (Publications)Plant HealthExt: 247Email: [email protected]
Mr Usaia TawakevouInformation Technology and Communication (ITC) TechnicianExt : 266E-mail : [email protected]
Mr Shelesh MadhavanInformation Technology and Communication (ITC) TechnicianExt : 242E-mail: [email protected]
Ms Ruci MafiPacific Way Reporter - Regional Media Centre (RMC)Ext : 213Email:: [email protected]
Mr Vilisi NadakuVideo Editor/Camera OperatorRegional Media Centre (RMC)Ext : 211Email: [email protected]
Ms Bale WilikibauProgramme Assistant (Forestry)Tel : 339-0432/330-5244Fax : 330 5212Email : [email protected]
Ms Mua TausieProgramme AssistantLand Resources DivisionExt: 216Email: [email protected]
Ms Maria KaraloProject AssistantAnimal Health & Production ServicesExt. : 217E-mail: [email protected]
Ms Angeleena PalaProject Assistant – DSAPExt : 292Email : [email protected]
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ACIAR................................................Australian Centre for International Agricultural ResearchAPHIS ................................................Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USCBD ...................................................Convention on Biological DiversityCIRAD ............................................... French Agricultural Research Centre for International
DevelopmentCITES ................................................Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Flora and FaunaCNMI .................................................Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana IslandsCODEX ..............................................Codex Alimentarius CommissionCRGA ...............................................Committee of Representatives of Governments and
Administrations of the Pacific CommunityCROP ................................................Council of Regional Organisations of the PacificCVA ....................................................Commonwealth Veterinary AssociationDSAP ................................................Development of Sustainable Agriculture in the Pacific project
funded by the EUECA………………………………………………Extension Communications AssistantEDF ...................................................European Development FundEU RDA ............................................EU Rural Development AdviserEU......................................................European UnionFAO ................................................... Food and Agricultural Organization of the United NationsFGR .................................................. Forest genetic resourcesFSIS................................................... Food Safety and Inspection Service, USFSM ................................................... Federated States of MicronesiaGDP ................................................... gross domestic productGIS .................................................... geographic information systemGREA……………………………………………Graduate Research Extension AssistantGTZ ...................................................Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit
(GTZ) GmbH (German Technical Cooperation)HTFA..................................................High Temperature Forced AirIAC ....................................................New Caledonia Institute of AgronomyIMPEXTEK ....................................... import-export biosecurity technologyIPGRI ................................................. International Plant Genetic Resources InstituteIPPC .................................................. International Plant Protection ConventionIRETA ............................................... the University of the South Pacific School of Agriculture,
Institute of Research, Extension and Training in AgricultureITPGRFA .......................................... International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food
and AgricultureITTO .................................................. International Tropical Timber OrganizationLMOs ................................................ living modified organismsMFFN ................................................Melanesian Farmers’ First NetworkMTA ................................................... ITPGRFA material transfer agreementMTR ..................................................mid-term reviewNARI .................................................National Agricultural Research Institute, Papua New GuineaNTBG ................................................National Tropical Botanic GardenNZAID ................................................New Zealand Agency for International DevelopmentOCT ..................................................EU Overseas Countries and TerritoriesOIE ....................................................World Organization for Animal HealthPACREIP ..........................................Pacific Regional Economic Integration ProjectPAPGREN .........................................Pacific Agricultural Genetic Resources NetworkPARAVET ..........................................Pacific region training for paraveterinary workersPGRFA...............................................Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
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PHALPS ...........................................Permanent Heads of Agriculture and Livestock Production Services
PICTs .................................................Pacific Island member countries and territories of the Pacific Community
PIFS ..................................................Pacific Islands Forum SecretariatPITIC .................................................Pacific Islands Trade and Investment CommissionPLD ...................................................Pest List DatabasePPP ..................................................Plant Protection in the Pacific project funded by the EUREA……………………………………………...Research Extension AssistantRPFS ................................................ FAO Regional Special Programme for Food SecuritySFM ...................................................Sustainable Forest ManagementSPC ...................................................Secretariat of the Pacific CommunitySPRIG ...............................................South Pacific Regional Initiative on Forest Genetic
ResourcesSPS ...................................................Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards of the World Trade
OrganizationUNEP .................................................United Nations Environment ProgrammeUSDA .................................................US Department of AgricultureUSP ................................................... The University of the South PacificWTO ..................................................World Trade Organization
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