Farmers in Bua and Taveuni are making notable strides in establishing 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 is equipping them with essential competencies to navigate the certification process successfully.
The training, conducted by the Pacific Community (SPC) from September to October, was part of the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) initiative. Sessions were held at the Mudrenicagi Organic Learning Farm in Bua and the Marama Vanilla farm in Taveuni, attracting eager farmers who wanted to enhance their organic practices and understand group certification processes.
PGS is a community-driven method where farmers annually inspect each other’s farms to ensure adherence to the Pacific Organic Standard. Trainers emphasized that regular farm visits and collective responsibility foster trust and help manage certification costs effectively. Discussions were informed by resources such as the Pacific Organic Standard Handbook and the IFOAM PGS Guidelines, ensuring participants grasped the compliance requirements tailored to their regional context.
Claire Lataste, SPC Organic Production Systems Officer, stated that the training was designed to boost farmers’ confidence and practical expertise in organic production, highlighting the potential of community-based certification systems like PGS in promoting long-term sustainability. She emphasized that by clarifying the processes surrounding organic farming and PGS, farmers in Bua and Taveuni are now better positioned to implement agro-ecological practices, obtain organic certification, and explore market opportunities.
During the training, farmers in Bua focused on critical topics such as soil health, seed saving, contamination management, record-keeping, and peer reviews, enhancing their grasp of PGS protocols and their confidence in applying organic practices. They recognized areas like record-keeping and organic seed-saving that would benefit from further support.
Rosa Chute, an organic farmer and winner of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways’ 2025 Organic Farmer of the Year award, remarked on the clarity gained from the training, which she plans to apply on her family farm. She also encouraged more women to participate in organic farming.
Farmers from Taveuni expressed that the training deepened their understanding of organic standards, the importance of record-keeping, soil health, and the certification process. Through collaborative exercises, they crafted their own PGS documentation and reaffirmed a shared commitment that reflects their organic cluster’s values.
The training fostered teamwork and bolstered participant confidence in their efforts to create a PGS group. The attendees voiced enthusiasm about sharing their newfound knowledge with other farmers.
Alan Petersen, the founder of Teitei Taveuni, highlighted the vital role of trust within the group, remarking that honesty among farmers leads to the production of guaranteed organic, nutrient-rich produce. He stressed that PGS ensures adherence to the Pacific Organic Standard, empowering farmers to confidently market their products as organic.
In summary, the training sessions have laid a robust foundation in both Bua and Taveuni for establishing their own PGS groups. Farmers emerged from the sessions 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 various 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. Farmers are embracing the journey towards sustainable agricultural practices, creating a hopeful outlook for community-led organic farming in these regions.