8 Farmer participants with the Farm Advisors, Arthur and Karen Mills on the Mudrenicagi Organic Learning Farm Centre, in Fiji.

[Bua, Fiji, 22^nd May, 2024] – Eight female and male farmers are at the Mudrenicagi Organic Learning Farm Centre in Fiji this week, currently undergoing the first organic and agroecological training under the Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network (POLFN) Project. This comprehensive training is the first of a series of trainings that will benefit close to 100 farmers in Fiji who have been selected under the POLFN Project.

“We’re very excited to be sharing our experiences with agroecology and organic farming with the participants this week.  We’re hopeful that the participants will go back to their farms and communities and put into practice some of the techniques that they have learnt. In this way we hope to see a transformation of rural farming towards more resilient and healthy food systems” said Karen Mills, Farmer Advisor, Mudrenicagi Organic Learning Farm Centre, Fiji

The Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network (POLFN) project is funded by the Kiwa Initiative. This regional project is being executed by the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) under the Pacific Community (SPC).

The training covers elements of agroecology including biodiversity, soil health, recycling, and more. Today, participants are being trained on soil health assessment, and recipes for composting and are eager to implement their learnings on their respective farms and are enthusiastic about the potential benefits that these practices can bring to their production. The training also includes non-chemical pest and weed management, and Peer to Peer Organic Certification.

“The training that we are receiving is priceless. It is opening our eyes to new ways of farming that can not only improve the quality of our produce but also have a positive impact on the environment,” said Ilaitia Tuwere, a farmer participant from the Suweni Village of Cakaudrove province on the island of Vanua Levu in Fiji.

The POLFN Project is developing organic learning farm networks in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Nauru, and aims to demonstrate the benefits of Nature-based Solutions such as agroecology and agroforestry and organic production methods and technologies.

About POETCom

The Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) is a not-for-profit organization with active member (farmer associations, farmer support organizations, NGOs, private sector, research institutions and working with governments across the Pacific Island region. POETCom is hosted by the Land Resources Division (LRD) of the Pacific Community (SPC) in Suva, Fiji.

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