Agroforestry training and Demo site establishment (Labasa Project)

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s (SPC) Land Resources Division conducted two-day training in Tabia, Labasa on agroforestry concepts, plant propagation, nursery management and the establishment of agroforestry farms.

Twenty participants comprising staff and representatives from the departments of agriculture and forestry, NGOs and farmers/tree growers participated in the training.

‘We were glad to see this level of training being made available to us here in the North of Fiji.’ These were the words of Charles McCay, the host farmer.

According to McCay, the participants gained new skills, especially on grafting and marcotting techniques, as well as receiving information about soil erosion control and the need to include trees in an integrated farming system. They also learned the technique of transplanting tissue cultures for the first time.

‘We always believe in an integrated farming system and such training and demonstration helps us understand the full concept of agroforestry much better.’

‘Such training enables us farmers to think strategically and take more interest in farming as an agroforestry system, an excellent model for sustainable farm development.’ McCay said.

Read more from this link:

http://agroforestrypacific.blogspot.com.au/p/labasa-demo-site.html

Snapshot on USAID Climate Change resilience building Project.

Maintaining long-term food security has emerged as a major issue in the Pacific region, and climate change, with its associated extreme weather events, is likely to adversely impact food production in the coming decades. SPC and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with partner agencies, are supporting the governments of six Pacific countries – Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu – in their efforts to tackle the adverse effects of climate change on food production. The support includes updating vegetation and land cover maps at the national level, and working with local communities to implement appropriate adaptation measures to build their resilience to climate change.(Click to read more on Fiji activity)

http://agroforestrypacific.blogspot.com/p/usaid.html

Forest conservation is vital for sustainable development.

Regional Forestry Technical Meeting.

Establishing Slope Land Agroforestry Model farm in Sabeto, Nadi.

Finally the land preparation has begun to set-up a agroforestry slope land demo farm in Nagado, Sabeto, Nadi. SPC technical staff - Cenon Padolina, Jalesi Mateboto, Vinesh Prasad and Patia were involved in marking the boundaries for contour farming and different crops based on their suitability to the soil.

Some Pictorials to show the activities.