Agroforestry: Critical in maintaining Pacific livelihoods

Suva

The Pacific Islands are home to a variety of agroforestry tree species that are vital in maintaining and strengthening livelihoods and food security for the region’s rural communities. Over the years, the region has witnessed the dramatic effects of climate change that is now increasingly affecting vegetation and threatening the living conditions of the Pacific’s rural citizens.

In response to this, the ‘Enhancing value-added products and environmental benefits from agroforestry systems in the Pacific’ project identified multipurpose agroforestry crops with value added market potential, developed techniques to enhance small and medium enterprises through value adding and strengthened gender equity in crop production in pilot sights identified in participating countries.

The agroforestry project was initiated by ACIAR together with the Pacific Community (SPC), a number of Australian Universities and line Ministries in participating countries including Fiji, Solomon Islands, PNG and Vanuatu.

SPC’s Land Resources Division (LRD), at the beginning of the project, identified a number of scientific and social objectives that would not only complement project outcomes but also strengthen vulnerable group’s ability to improve their livelihoods through this agroforestry initiative.

Jalesi Mateboto, LRD’s Natural Resource Management Adviser, while talking to Radio 531pi, explained that “The project itself is trying to combine a number of research activities. One part of the project is focussing on value adding of agroforestry crops and this was implemented in PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The other one which is focussing on the catchment and rehabilitation, this was specific for Fiji and Vanuatu.”

Find more information in the video above.

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