A new wave of skilled auditors and consultants in Vanuatu is significantly enhancing organic certification efforts, empowering local farmers to enter higher-value markets. With a growing global demand for organic products, the Vanuatu Organic Coconut Initiative (VOCI) is preparing the nation’s agricultural sector to meet this export demand by involving approximately 1,000 farmers in the organic certification process for coconut, cocoa, and kava products. There lies potential for this initiative to expand, benefiting up to 2,000 farmers across the Pacific region and aiding nations such as Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Kiribati.
In collaboration with the Pacific Community (SPC) and the European Union’s SAFE Pacific project, VOCI organized an Organic Training Conference in late 2024. The event successfully brought together 19 participants, including growers, organic farm network managers, and compliance officers who were trained on organic certification processes and sustainable business practices through an interactive and practical learning approach.
Andreas Lombardozzi, Trade and Development Manager for African Pacific, noted that the training empowered participants with essential tools for managing organic certification. The program covered crucial topics such as organic standards application, internal audits, and non-compliance issue identification. A key part of the training was the integration of the CertLink Info System, streamlining the tracking and tracing of organic products to meet regulatory standards.
The training was inclusive, with notable female participation in roles such as internal auditors and network managers, which is fostering greater gender equality within Vanuatu’s organic farming sector. Participants like Ronaldine Tchivi, a certification officer, expressed how the training improved her understanding of the certification process, enhancing her capability to assist those seeking organic certifications.
Adding to this, the Vanuatu Bureau of Standards is now conducting organic inspections at the farm level, strengthening relationships with farmers and maintaining adherence to organic standards. VOCI Compliance Officer Norah Rihai and Farm Network Manager Samuel Tiwok also shared positive feedback on how the training will help farmers manage their operations and keep compliant with organic certification.
Overall, the successful outcomes of the training highlight a collective effort between public, private, and producer sectors, working towards a sustainable agricultural future in Vanuatu. These initiatives not only promise to improve the livelihoods of local farmers but also contribute to environmental sustainability and economic growth across the region. The potential for improved market access and premium pricing for organic products offers a hopeful outlook for the agricultural community in Vanuatu.
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