(contenu disponible en anglais uniquement)
The Mills win Organic Farmer of the Year Award
The Pacific Community (SPC) proudly celebrates Karen and Arthur Mills, owners and farmers of the Mudrenicagi Organic Farm in Bua, Fiji and Farm Advisors with SPC’s Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network (POLFN) Project. They were awarded the prestigious Organic Farmer of the Year Award at this year’s National Awards Night hosted by the Fijian Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) in Suva.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be recognised as the Organic Farmer of the year by MoA. This award really isn’t an individual award, it’s an award that recognises the team effort on our family-based farm. Receiving this award really validates the effort we’ve put into our farm journey and encourages us to continue working towards our vision of a successful, sustainable, regenerative organic farm and training centre.” – Karen Mills, Mudrenicagi Organic Farm, Bua
Karen and Arthur have committed the last nine years to organic farming, integrating permaculture principles with local traditional practices. Supported by the POLFN Project and led by SPC’s Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community, Mudrenicagi Organic Farm has transformed into a learning centre for local agriculture, recently launching training programmes for 50 smallholder farmers in northern Fiji.
The backbone of the Mudrenicagi farm is a 25-acre coconut polyculture food forest. The three to six-year-old coconut trees are planted on contour and intercropped with pineapple, banana, vudi, citrus, noni, various fruit trees, cassava, taro, kumala, yaqona, breadfruit, yasi, and a small trial of coffee and cacao. Additionally, 200 new vanilla vines have been planted on Gliricidia host trees within the coconut system. The farm also hosts 40 beehives and operates a small poultry farm with 300 laying hens, producing around 260 eggs daily. The hens are kept in secure night shelters and have access to large outdoor runs during the day.
Karen and Arthur’s journey in organic farming has yielded remarkable results, contributing to the health of their soil, the vitality of their crops, and their family’s well-being. By focussing on organic practices, they are actively helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change while ensuring food security for their rural community.
“Karen and Arthur Mills are transforming farming in northern Fiji. As trainers and mentors, they equip smallholder farmers with vital skills for a changing climate. Their leadership is essential; we need more advocates for organic agriculture that prioritises health of Fijian soil and economic resilience.”— Emosi Cagi, Fiji Country Coordinator, Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network Project, SPC.
The POLFN Project is funded through the multi-donor agency, the Kiwa Initiative. The Kiwa Initiative is funded by the European Union, AFD - Agence Française de Développement, Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
About POETCom
The Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community is the peak body for the organic movement in the region, a not-for-profit organisation with active members, farmer associations, farmer support organisations, NGOs, the private sector, research institutions and works with governments across the Pacific Island region. POETCom is hosted by the Land Resources Division (LRD) of the Pacific Community (SPC) in Suva, Fiji.
For more information, visit:
