Two female and six 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 trainingthat will benefit close to 100 farmers in Fiji who have been selected under the POLFN Project.
Karen Mills, Farmer Advisor at the Mudrenicagi Organic Learning Farm Centre, Fiji said they were thrilled to share their experiences with participants.
“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,” she said. The POLFN project is funded by the Kiwa Initiative and 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, including soil health assessment, and recipes for composting. The participants are eager to implement their learnings on their respective farms and learn about the potential benefits these practices could bring to their production. The training also includes non-chemical pest and weed management and Peer-to-Peer Organic Certification.
Ilaitia Tuwere, a farmer participant from Suweni village in the province of Cakaudrove on Vanua Levu, shared that, "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."
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 organisation with active members - farmer associations, farmer support organisations, NGOs, private sector, research institutions and working with governments across the Pacific Island region. POETCom is hosted by the Land Resources Division of the Pacific Community (SPC) in Suva, Fiji.
