Elesi Mila and her husband Aleveo Basaga from Navunisole Village in Tailevu have found new purpose in their farming endeavors through a transformative initiative that is reshaping family agriculture across Fiji. Traditionally reliant on kava and a limited variety of crops, they, like many others, viewed farming as a routine task. However, the arrival of the Family Farm Teams (FFT) initiative has redefined their approach to agriculture, fostering collaboration and long-term planning within families.
Supported by the Australia and New Zealand-funded Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) program and developed by the University of Canberra alongside the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), FFT highlights the farm as a family business. By employing talanoa-based learning, the program encourages shared decision-making among family members, aiming to transition households from subsistence to semi-commercial farming.
Since participating in FFT, the Basagas have diversified their farming practices significantly. They have expanded their operations to include small-scale cattle farming, poultry for both eggs and meat, and a variety of vegetables for sale and personal consumption. “FFT really opened our minds,” Aleveo explains. “We’re no longer depending only on cassava, taro, or yaqona. We’re planning together and working as a team.”
This collaborative spirit is especially crucial given the traditional dynamics in many Fijian households, where women often have limited influence over agricultural decisions. FFT actively addresses this issue by integrating gender equality into its framework. As families engage in open discussions about their workloads, finances, and aspirations, roles within the household begin to shift, promoting a more inclusive decision-making process. Elesi Mila notes that FFT has enhanced their shared decision-making, making future planning clearer and more manageable.
Nutrition also plays a pivotal role in the FFT mission. Despite Fiji’s fertile land, the country relies heavily on food imports, leading to increased rates of non-communicable diseases due to unhealthy diets. FFT encourages families to create ‘kitchen gardens’ close to their homes, enabling them to grow diverse vegetables for daily meals. Participants have reported decreased spending on store-bought groceries, improved dietary health, and more resources allocated for education and savings.
Furthermore, institutions like the Tutu Rural Training Centre in Taveuni have integrated FFT principles into their training programs, recognizing the importance of financial literacy and cooperative planning within farming families. Australia’s investment through PHAMA Plus is instrumental in these changes, focusing on building skills and resilient systems rather than providing temporary solutions. Over 1,000 households across Fiji and the Pacific have engaged with FFT training, with early results indicating positive behavioral and economic transformations.
Trainers like Miriama Tikoibaravi at the Tutu highlight the success of FFT, noting that when families unite toward common goals, the outcomes are significantly more productive. Now serving as an FFT trainer, Miriama is committed to helping families view farming as a pathway to dignity, stability, and opportunity.
FFT is a shining example of collaboration in action, honoring local knowledge, fortifying family structures, and investing in a sustainable agricultural future. Through its innovative approach, families are not only farming together but are also building a better, shared future, one farm plan at a time.
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