Over forty members of the Rise Beyond the Reef Project were engaged in the soft launch of its Agriculture Commodities Initiative. The initiative is part of a pilot or test trial involving the preparation of twenty three acres of land by twenty three separate women’s’ groups in the highlands of Ba, a Western province on Fiji’s largest island of Viti Levu.

Also present were the District Officer of Ba, Agriculture Officer of Ba, Public Health Officials and National Biosecurity in a show of support to launch the initiative with Rise Beyond The Reefs’ Tavioka [Taro] cluster farmers.

The initiative aims to improve the livelihoods of rural farmers and boost food security, as well as inspire a new generation of women and girls in agriculture.

Semi Lotawa, the Co-Founder of Rise Beyond The Reef said: “The rationale behind this head start is to make sure we have all the farmers plant their one acre of Tavioka before cane harvesting season starts this year when everyone gets busy and weather changes occur”.

“We’re working with an independent partner to oversee the land preparation, sourcing of planting material, sourcing of chicken manure, and conduct independent quality control evaluation on the planting”.

Lavinia Kaumaitotoya, the Manager of the Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network praised the ongoing success of the farmers, and said, “This is the perfect platform for a new generation of farmers to grow, it’s an initiative that won’t only strengthen our food systems but support our women and youth in agriculture. They're working with familiar traditional crops with the added concept of commerical farming – that is what is exciting. We’re breaking ground and mindsets, the impacts will be far reaching”.
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Rise Beyond the Reef is a member of the Pacific Islands Farmers Organisation Network (PIFON), and the implementing agency for IFAD under the Informal Economies Recovery Project.