Farmers in Bua and Taveuni are making significant progress towards establishing their own community-based organic certification groups, having recently completed hands-on training focused on the Pacific Organic Standards and the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). This practical training equips them with essential skills to help them navigate the certification process effectively.
Conducted between September and October by the Pacific Community (SPC) through the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) initiative, the training sessions took place at the Mudrenicagi Organic Learning Farm in Bua and at the Marama Vanilla farm in Taveuni. The gatherings attracted farmers eager to enhance their organic practices and gain insight into the group certification processes.
PGS is a community-driven approach where farmers annually inspect each other’s farms to ensure compliance with the Pacific Organic Standard. The trainers emphasized how consistent farm visits and shared responsibility foster trust and help manage certification costs. Discussions were guided by resources like the Pacific Organic Standard Handbook and the IFOAM PGS Guidelines, ensuring that the participants understood compliance requirements tailored to the Pacific context.
Claire Lataste, SPC Organic Production Systems Officer, highlighted that the training aimed to bolster farmers’ confidence and practical expertise in organic production, while illustrating the potential of community-based certification systems like PGS in promoting long-term sustainability. She noted that by clarifying the processes surrounding organic farming and PGS, farmers in Bua and Taveuni are better equipped to implement agro-ecological practices, obtain organic certification, and explore market opportunities.
During the sessions, Bua farmers delved into topics such as soil health, seed saving, contamination management, recordkeeping, and peer reviews. Participants expressed that the training enhanced their understanding of PGS protocols and increased their confidence in applying organic practices on their farms. They also identified specific areas such as record keeping and organic seed-saving where additional support would be beneficial.
Rosa Chute, an organic farmer whose family was recognized with the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways’ 2025 Organic Farmer of the Year award, remarked on the clarity provided by the training, which she plans to implement on their family farm. She additionally encouraged more women to engage in organic farming.
Farmers from Taveuni noted that the training helped them comprehend organic standards, the benefits of record-keeping, soil health, and the certification process. Through collaborative exercises, they drafted their own Participatory Guarantee System documentation and established a shared commitment reflecting their organic cluster’s values.
The training fostered teamwork and boosted participant confidence in their efforts to create a PGS group. They voiced enthusiasm for sharing their newfound knowledge with fellow farmers.
Alan Petersen, founder of Teitei Taveuni, emphasized the importance of trust within the group, stating that honesty among farmers leads to the production of guaranteed organic, nutrient-rich produce. He highlighted that PGS ensures adherence to the Pacific Organic Standard, empowering farmers to confidently market their products as organic.
Overall, the training sessions have established a solid foundation in both Bua and Taveuni for forming their own PGS groups. Farmers left equipped with enhanced skills, a clearer understanding of processes, and a collaborative spirit as they prepare for organic certification.
This initiative is part of the Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network Project under the KIWA Initiative, overseen by the POETCom initiative at SPC and funded by a coalition of international partners including the European Union, Agence Française de Développement, Global Affairs Canada, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The outlook for community-led organic farming in these regions is bright, as farmers embrace the journey towards sustainable agricultural practices.