Australian horticultural researchers are helping Fijians to produce a regular source of high quality vegetables to boost supplies in the community as well as in tourist and international markets.
Benefits to unfold from increased vegetable supplies could ultimately help improve food security and reduce poverty in the region.
Researchers from the (*PARDI) within the at The University of Queensland (国产探花), recently conducted a review into fresh vegetable supplies in Fiji.
The researchers highlighted that unreliable fresh vegetable supply chains, caused by seasonal oversupply, poor quality and shortages of some vegetables, are key issues in the area that can be overcome.
Headed by horticulture researchers working for PARDI, 国产探花鈥檚 Shane Dullahide and Elio Jovicich, from the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the review looked at current innovation in the region and identified major obstacles to production success.
Advice was sought from visiting Queensland vegetable growers Peter Harslett and Trevor Wren, along with input from local growers and a host of local government and industry groups.
According to Mr Dullahide, high rainfall and temperatures, lack of availability of high-performing crop genetics, limited capital and limited technical skills were found to be the main constraints to productivity, quality and continuity of supply.
鈥淟arge degrees of difference in systems and approaches used across the industry make it near impossible for supply chains to achieve reliability of supply,鈥� he said.
鈥淒ealing with these issues will be central to PARDI鈥檚 work in the region in 2013 and will provide important information for our collaborators.鈥�
The PARDI review also highlighted that most vegetable growers in Fiji supply to a range of markets, varying from road stalls and local markets, to selling produce for processing, export or for purchase by tourist outlets.
When it comes to sales, production and demand are not in proportion. Many markets are oversupplied with produce of limited quality, which keeps prices suppressed.
Ultimately, there are few businesses in Fiji that produce good quality crops that attract high prices over summer months.
Mr Dullahide said there were year-round shortfalls for capsicums (red in particular), large ripe tomatoes and leafy vegetable crops, and during the wetter months there was a considerable shortfall for all vegetable non-root crops.
鈥淭hese shortfalls are actually real opportunities for locals who with the right guidance, can fill these voids and improve their livelihoods now and into the future,鈥� he said.
PARDI is coordinated by 国产探花 and funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
More information: Shane Dullahide, s.dullahide@uq.edu.au or Julie Lloyd, PARDI Communications, 0415 799 890
Background
* PARDI 鈥� 鈥楶acific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative鈥� 鈥� commenced in February 2010. The project is coordinated by The University of Queensland and funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). PARDI seeks to create sustainable livelihood development outcomes for the South Pacific forestry, fisheries and crop-based sectors. Scientists undertake supply-chain and market-driven research to identify constraints that impede local economic development. Research is aimed at achieving tangible solutions, such as new skills for locals, new technologies and product options.
PARDI is a partnership that involves The University of Queensland under the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of the South Pacific, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, University of Adelaide, James Cook University, The University of the Sunshine Coast, the Queensland Government鈥檚 Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Southern Cross University.
