In Navunisole Village, Tailevu, Elesi Mila and her husband Aleveo Basaga are experiencing a significant transformation in their farming practices, moving from traditional reliance on kava and a few crops to a more collaborative and empowered agricultural model. This shift reflects a broader movement among rural families in Fiji, driven by the Family Farm Teams (FFT) initiative, part of the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) program, which receives support from Australia and New Zealand.
The FFT initiative, developed by the University of Canberra in collaboration with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), promotes a family-centered approach to farming that encourages open conversations about shared goals and responsibilities. By fostering this cooperative spirit, the program helps families transition from subsistence farming to practices that are more resilient and economically viable.
Elesi and Aleveo have embraced this change by diversifying their farming activities. In addition to traditional crops, they have introduced a small cattle operation, poultry for meat and eggs, and a variety of vegetables, both for sale and personal consumption. Aleveo expressed gratitude for FFT’s impact, stating, “FFT really opened our minds,” and emphasizing how the initiative has fostered teamwork and collaborative planning in their farming efforts.
An essential aspect of FFT is its commitment to gender equality. In many Fijian households, women have often been excluded from key decision-making roles regarding farming operations and finances. FFT addresses this challenge by encouraging shared decision-making among all family members. Elesi elaborated on this change, saying, “We deal with the farm together now. It lightens the load and makes planning for the future much clearer.”
Health and nutrition are also focal points of the FFT initiative. While Fiji has abundant fertile land, a significant portion of its food is imported, leading to health issues associated with poor dietary choices. FFT encourages the establishment of ‘kitchen gardens’ to promote vegetable cultivation, enhancing nutrition while reducing household food expenses, thus allowing families to allocate more funds toward education and savings.
Training institutions, such as the Tutu Rural Training Centre in Taveuni, are incorporating FFT principles into their programs for men, couples, and women, highlighting that effective financial planning requires a unified approach to farming among families.
PHAMA Plus has been instrumental in scaling the FFT initiative, focusing on skill-building and systemic investment rather than temporary assistance. The program aims to create lasting resilience in Fiji’s agricultural sector, having engaged over 1,000 households across Fiji and the Pacific in FFT training, with early results indicating positive changes in behavior and economic stability.
Trainers like Miriama Tikoibaravi from Tutu note that FFT benefits not only individual farmers but also enhances the capacities of those who support agricultural efforts. “When everyone, men, women, and children, works toward shared goals, the results are far more successful,” she emphasizes.
This collaborative model highlights the power of partnership, respect for local knowledge, and shared growth, positioning family farming as a pathway to dignity, stability, and opportunity in Fiji. As more families adopt this approach, they are carving out a hopeful and sustainable future, demonstrating that collective efforts in agriculture can lead to remarkable transformations.