Avian Influenza outbreak in Australia puts Pacific Islands on high alert
An outbreak of the Avian Influenza (AI) affecting several poultry farms has been reported in the Australian state of Victoria. The highly pathogenic Avian influenza, otherwise known as ‘AI’, is a serious poultry disease that can cause high mortality in…
Seeds Handover to Fiji Government and Launch of New Regional Initiatives Supported by MFAT and DFAT
This week the Pacific Community (SPC) handed over 350kg vegetable seeds and 400 tissue culture plants to the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). The event was part of Pacific Seeds for Life (PS4L) and represented the projects first contribution towards…
Nadroumai Women improve soil health through Agroforestry
Exacerbating erosion, flooding and drought events was on the rise due to unsustainable agriculture and resource exploitation within the Nadroumai catchment near Sigatoka in Fiji- but thanks to the dedication of women and youth in the area, the future is…
Pacific Seeds for Life: the case of Yam breeding in Vanuatu
The Pacific region is highly vulnerable to climate change and is facing high incidences of non-communicable diseases. Crop diversity has a crucial role to play in (1) developing improved crops that are adapted to climate change and tolerant to…
Pacific Agriculture and Forestry Ministers Endorse Strategy for International Year of Plant Health 2020
Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry and Heads of Delegations from 21 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) officially endorsed a strategy for the International Year of Plant Health 2020 at the second Ministers of…
See what seeds can do
‘Before, when I want to plant, I have to have money. I have to go to the shop or to the agriculture office and buy vegetable seeds. Now, I do not need to go the shop. I just make my own seeds.’
Mary Nipisina is one of about thirty ni-Vanuatu women…
Inaugural Fiji Chocolate Competition highlights resurgent cocoa sector
The Ministry of Agriculture in Fiji in partnership with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Pacific Community (SPC), announced the winners of the Inaugural Fiji Chocolate (Cocoa) Competition today at the Vanua…
Genetic resources for food and nutrition security, from the Pacific to the world
Genetic resources for food and nutrition security, from the Pacific to the world
Pacific Seeds for Life becomes a reality
Seeds and climate change
At the 23rd Conference of the Parties of UNFCCC (where Fiji played a central role), Parties adopted the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture. This landmark agreement recognized ‘the fundamental importance of agriculture…
Why the Pacific is taking an integrated approach to climate change and NCDs
The Island nations of the Pacific region are a community encompassing many unique traditions, cultures and experiences. These generally small island nations are spread across one the largest and most important regions on Earth. With small populations…