Food systems and agricultural recovery are vital to a post COVID Pacific. As countries and economies look beyond shutdowns, and health systems stand-by or buckle under the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agriculture sector has been thrust in the limelight as food supplies become a prime concern.

The Pacific Islands Farmers Organisation Network (PIFON) has taken a snapshot of where agriculture is now, and what is needed for its revitalisation, through a survey to gauge the impacts of COVID-19 on the Pacific Islands farming community. The report, titled Pacific Farmers Have Their Say, outlines key issues and recommendations critical to sustaining food supplies and livelihoods in the Pacific.

A key challenge outlined the report is disruptions in both local and international supply chains as countries shut down their borders and communities. A new report from POETCom that surveyed regional farmers and farm organisations that is due to be published at the end of July 2020 noted similar challenges. Inputs such as organic seeds, organic fertilisers and tools, in addition to farmhand access to farms, were disrupting planting, growing, harvesting and market access. This in turn affects food production and availability, as well as nutrition.

The pandemic has highlighted the critical role farmers play in societies, and the recommendations in the two reports are congruent. A list of eight main recommendations for reenergising the organic approach include: strengthen the importance of local food systems, promote home gardening, evaluate organic input sourcing to make inputs more available, focus on value added products, product diversification and import substitution, use online platforms for knowledge exchange, training and e-marketing, re-engage the idled workforce, and support national governments.

The final recommendation – support POETCom membership – provides an opportunity to build and strengthen the organic certification system through the locally focused assurance system called the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and community peer support group management. POETCom can inform members that need financial assistance what is available and how to apply for it. The POETCom Secretariat can provide remote assistance and monitoring, and guide skills and capacity development that help ensure effective and resilient long-term responses.

As agricultural communities seek to build back better, the PIFON and POETCom reports will inform new knowledge and action on the road to a growing and stronger organic future.

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