“Koi au na dau ni teitei ena Tikina ko Nadogo, au sa duavata ka vosa bubuluitaka ni’u na maroroya ka taqomaka na tiko bulabula kei na noqu yaubula e tu wavokiti au..” – Nadogo #Organic Pledge drafted by 12 farmers of the Nadogo District in Macuata Province, Fiji. This statement loosely translates to “I am a farmer in the district of Nadogo, I have made a pledge that I will maintain and protect the natural vegetaion in my community..”

POETCom’s Organic Extension Systems Officer, Mr Stephen Hazelman conducted a Participatory Guaranteed System (PGS) training on 21^st November, in a recent collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture Fiji Land Use Unit, Ministry of Forestry, Fiji and Pacific-Community-SPC Land Resources Division, Sustainable Forests and Landscapes. The Nadogo District Conservation Committee requested for this training to increase awareness and capacity of their farmers interested in organic agriculture

The official definition of PGS according to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements is that PGS are locally focused quality assurance systems. They certify producers based on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange.

The PGS training served 4 women farmers and 8 men farmers. Participants now have a knowledge and understanding on the elements of organic farming, they also understand the difference between PGS and 3rd Party Certification. Towards the end of the training, the 12 farmers made an organic pledge with the Tui Nadogo as witness, that they will truthfully implement organic practices.

Queries can be sent to POETCom Communications Assistant, Vilimaina Tamata: vilimainat@spc.int