By Duncan Wilson
As Pacific nations seek to regionalise organic standards and certification, growers hope to build a global presence, as Duncan Wilson reports.
Pacific producers are well placed to tap into the global organic market, worth more than NZ$70 billion last year.
Dr Lex Thomson, an agriculture expert at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in Fiji, says that Pacific crops are frequently produced without chemicals. He says that in Samoa and Fiji, for instance, pesticides rarely touch the production of pure coconut oil, noni juice, and banana, guava and mango.
“All these crops are usually produced in a really clean and green space anyway – regardless of whether they’re recognised as organic.”
“In this sense it’s the rest of the world that is catching up with the Pacific. The world has realised the benefits of practices that in the Pacific are thousands of years old.”
Dr Thomson heads a project that supports businesses and producer groups to become export-oriented and competitive. He says organics is a key area where the Pacific can be competitive internationally.
“We can’t compete with the mass production and cheaper wage and shipping costs that other countries enjoy. But the Pacific can have a significant presence in the lucrative niche market.”
In 2008, organic standards were introduced to the Pacific, following work among the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, and other agencies. Pacific producers must meet these standards if they are to be certified as organic.
The Prime Minister of Samoa, Honourable Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, chairs the Pacific High Level Organics Group, which includes regional political leaders. Mr Malielegaoi says the standard “…represents a significant milestone in the development of the region’s organic enterprises.”
“It will serve as a strong marketing tool for promoting organic produce within the Pacific, facilitating local and regional marketing, and also for promoting Pacific products to the world.”
Aleki Sisifa, director of land resources at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, says Pacific countries are realising the benefits of certification “…for obtaining access to external markets, and the need for research and training to develop the sector and generate much needed livelihoods for their people.”
“The Standard aims to provide a vehicle for organic production, as a sector, to raise its sails and conquer the Pacific. It encompasses accepted world-wide principles and at the same time holds true to the unique cultures, traditions and physical and geographic circumstances of the diverse peoples, ecosystems and natural resources that make up Oceania.”
Mr Sisifa says that organics is also traditional, “…in the sense that the majority of producers to this day use tried and tested practices handed down from generation to generation that are generally in harmony with the environment and with modern organic principles.”
The industry offers environmental as well as economic benefits to the Pacific Islands, according to Mr Sisifa. Mr Sisifa also says that the region is grappling with the effects of climate change and unsustainable use of resources. He says that Islanders’ health has been affected by increased consumption of imported, highly refined foods, at the expense of a local and nutritious diet.
“There is little doubt that promoting organic agriculture can contribute to answering some of these challenges.”
Prime Minister Mr Malielegaoi says promoting organic agriculture involves a holistic approach to the environment and business that fits with Pacific concerns.
“The holistic approach to development promoted by the organic movement addresses many key areas of concern for our island nations: economic development, environmental protection, improved health and opportunities for our smallholder farmers to link into global export markets.”
He says that the new Standard addresses pressing issues for the Pacific, including climate change, recognition of culture, traditional practice and social justice.
Dr Thomson says that the fit between Pacific concerns and practices make the industry seem ideal for Pacific producers, but he warns that the market is increasingly competitive. He says that standards are crucial to certifying and branding organic products, but he also encourages the Pacific businesses involved to maintain momentum as they vie for a greater share of the lucrative trade.
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