The workshop was attended by 22 participants from Fiji and Tonga with resource persons from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, FAO and TFNet.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fiji, Mr. Ropate Ligairi officially opened the workshop after welcoming addresses by Kaison Chang of the FAO and Yacob Ahmad from TFNet.
There were 8 paper presentations on day one of the workshop followed by a group discussion on the way forward to enhance production and market of tropical fruit for Fiji and the other Pacific Islands. The papers presented were:
- Overview of global tropical fruit production and market by Kaison Chang, FAO
- Issues and challenges in the production of tropical fruits in Fiji by Manoa Iranacola, DOA, Fiji,
- Tropical Fruit Production in Tonga – issues and challenges by Solomone Moala Vaikeli, MAFFF, Tonga
- Improving the effectiveness of smallholder farmer postharvest practices in Fiji by Prof. Steven J.R. Underhill, University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Minimizing postharvest losses in tropical fruits – the Fijian experience by Kyle Strice, Naturesway Cooperatives, Fiji
- Managing postharvest losses and quality assurance in the marketing of tropical fruits by Prof Emeritus Errol Hewett, Massey University, New Zealand
- Dietary phytochemical and antioxidant intakes of the Fijian population by Dr. Jimaima Lako, University of South Pacific, Fiji
- Challenges in improving standards and market access opportunities in the tropical fruit market by Yacob Ahmad, TFNet.
The focus of the workshop was on the strategy to improve market access for tropical fruits for smallholders in the Pacific Islands.
The main objectives of the workshop were to:
- Assess issues and challenges in improving production and quality of tropical fruits in Fiji and the Pacific Island nations.
- Identify key activities and interventions to facilitate smallholders integration into fruit value chan.
- To strengthen the capacity of participants on the need to address issues dealing with pest and disease management particularly fruit flies management, quality assurance, postharvest management, food safety, Sanitary and phytosanitary regulations (SPS) and Good Agricultural Practices in the marketing of tropical fruits.
- To strengthen capacity of participants on the processing of fruits into chips, juices and jams.
- Develop a strategy and action plan to enhance production and market access of fresh and process fruit products in the Pacific Islands.
The workshop later discussed on the issues and challenges of production and market access of tropical fruits produced in the Pacific Islands. Among issues discussed were effect of inclement weather, crop zoning, complex land tenure systems, infrastructure, costs of inputs, pest and disease and adoption by farmers. A strategy and action plan was also outlined. All deliberations and recommendations will be published in a report.
