THE 6th regional organic task force (ROTF) is meeting in Nadi to hear progress on organic farming in Pacific and finalise policies for Pacific Organic guidelines.
Director of SPC’s Land Resource Division Aleki Sisifa was impressed with ROTF progress so far and assured SPCs support towards finalising the regional Organic Standards.
“ROTF has played a leadership role in the progressing the Organics movement in the Pacific.”
“The momentum in exhilarating membership of ROTF is diverse of the passion they go about sharing experience, organising regional meetings and getting impact on the ground in their countries are very impressive.” Mr Sisifa said.
ROTF has been lobbying actively at policy and official level and have already gained widespread support in the region, Aleki added.
“The task force is also taking on the role of incorporating the fair trade issues with its umbrella.”
Mr Sisifa further commented that the Land Resource Division of SPC is complimenting the national governments towards friendly environmental practices and adding value to produce.
This, he added is the very reason SPC supports organic farming.
“I am very pleased with Niue and Rotuma in announcing their intention to declare the whole island organic.”
SPC’ Land Resource Division with its EU funded Facilitating Agriculture Commodity Trade Project (FACT) and International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have collaborated with University of South Pacific and Food and Agriculture Organisation to host this meeting.
Participants from SPC member countries including Samoa, Kirbati, Tonga, Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu, Niue, Cooks are participating in 4 day meeting that will conclude on 9th July.
Organic farming is gaining momentum Pacific and ROTF through its collaboration with its partners is trying to promote it around the Pacific Island Countries.
One of the expected outcomes of the meeting is to draw up policies and adopt regional Organic guideline that is accepted by International Organic certifying bodies.
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