Traditional knowledge and sustainable livelihoods are gaining significant attention among women on Cicia Island in the Lau Group, highlighted by the value-added products made from natural materials that were exhibited at the 2024 National Agricultural Show earlier this week.
Susana Yalikanacea, a former civil servant, has been a strong advocate for these initiatives among her fellow islanders. She shared her experiences, stating, “For years, I taught women how to make coconut oil, fine mats, incense, and other products,” reminiscing about her time at the Ministry of Agriculture where she educated women on creating value-added products.
Ms. Yalikanacea noted that the women of Cicia Island have become self-sufficient, turning their community into a center of traditional entrepreneurship. She acknowledged the support from the Agriculture Ministry, which has played a crucial role in the advancement of women in her community by providing equipment, materials, and constructing a dedicated manufacturing space for their products.
This structured approach has enabled the women to operate independently, allowing them to produce their goods with all necessary resources efficiently organized in one location.
While the current focus is on local and regional markets, Ms. Yalikanacea expressed aspirations to venture into the export sector. “At the moment, we want people to experience our products firsthand here in Fiji at affordable prices. We want them to understand and appreciate the value of what we’re making, and when we’re ready, we’ll then look into the export market.”
In addition to generating income for women, she is committed to passing on traditional knowledge to the younger generation. Through practical training, the women of Cicia are equipping youth with the skills necessary to sustain these businesses in the future.