Thee Seventh Regional Meeting of the Pacific Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services has found developing agriculture and forestry should remain a top priority given the industries remain an economic lifeblood and critical to food security. 

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (F.A.O.) sub-Regional Coordinator for the Pacific, Xiangjun Yao, said in her address at the meeting that the region was facing challenges head of. She said national and regional agendas have been reshaped and reprogrammed to ensure work on improving agricultural outcomes continues despite disruption. 

“The F.A.O. takes note that agricultural production, fisheries, and forestry typically remain the backbone of the Pacific economies and the major contributors to [people's] livelihoods,” she said.

“Overall, roughly 50 to 70 per cent of Pacific peoples depend on agriculture, fisheries or associated activities for their livelihoods. Forestry is critical to the economy of some of our Pacific nations such as Solomon Islands and Fiji. 

"Therefore, it is crucial for us to foster our agriculture and forestry sectors to ensure prosperity of our Pacific nations.

“Even before the pandemic, Pacific [Small Island Developing States] were dealing with other challenges such as frequent natural disasters, the effects of climate change, limited arable land, dependence on small-scale agriculture, high-priced imports, and a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes. 

"All of these issues have hampered their countries’ progress toward achieving the 2030 [Sustainable Development Goal] targets."

She said that despite the setbacks the region has persevered and should not lose sight of its many achievements to date. But future gains, she said would need to be made across sectors. 

“[The] F.A.O. will continue to provide technical support to all our member countries to ensure that our programmes in food security and nutrition are relevant and responsive to our current situation,” she said.

The President of Fiji, Jioji Konrote, said in his opening remarks said the focus of the conference was to discuss, share, construct and endorse the proposed recommendations for greater ownership by respective national agriculture and forestry services.

He said the region needs to grow its way towards a sustainable, healthy food system that can guarantee that its people have enough high-quality food to ensure a healthy and fulfilling life.  

“Better food, better choices and a better future,” he said. 

“Food is more than something we eat or drink to sustain ourselves. That definition may suffice for a textbook, but it is a pale description of its role in our lives.

Mr Konrote added that food is a source of culture, tradition and of the community.

“It is a source of livelihoods; a source of meaning, and a bridge of connection to the natural world around us,” he said. “It has the power to bring comfort, to build friendships, and to bring people together," he said. 

“It has the power to mend the fraying ties between humanity and the ecosystems we have relied upon for all of our existence.

“By re-making our relationship with food, with food-based livelihoods, and with our forests, we re-make our relationship with the planet. Not only for our benefit, but for the benefit of coming generations.”

The South Pacific Community (S.P.C) Deputy Director-General, Paula Vivili, said at the opening of the meeting that there is no doubt that COVID-19 has forever altered the region over the past year and a half, and that what is now considered the “new normal” in agriculture and forestry was still emerging.

“However, I also have no doubt that Government ministries, F.A.O. and our other partners have held steady and are looking forward to building a better, more resilient future for our farmers, foresters, producers and traders," she said. 

“Pacific agriculture and forestry has persevered. And beyond this perseverance, COVID 19 has highlighted the critical role of these sectors in ensuring our communities are resilient to disruptions and disasters."

He added that the region has the opportunity to go beyond a “new normal” to promote innovative ideas and initiatives in our fields, forests and markets to further strengthen the agriculture and forestry's role. 

“This innovation will not only rely on your highest endeavors, but also bringing our young people on board and ensuring they follow in our positive footsteps,” he said.

“The Pacific is a growing region with youth that have an increasing number of distractions.  But these youth are our future, and we should continue to work to include them, instilling values that lead to the stewardship of our land, rivers and seas.   

“And though these youth will also gravitate towards technology – which provides a valuable framework for our agriculture and forestry practices – we must also not forget the foundation: our past practices.  Our culture and traditions that have fed, housed and provided solace to our communities for generations.”