NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AGRITOURISM SECTOR IN THE PACIFIC In the context of the 1st Pacific Week of Agriculture (#PWA2017) Port-Vila, Vanuatu, 18th October, 14h00-17h30 Melanesian Hotel, Room The Melanesian, Port Vila, Vanuatu Organised by the Government of Vanuatu , PIPSO, SPTO, IFAD and CTA Since 2014, CTA, PIPSO and key partners in the Pacific region have been highlighting the potential of tourism markets for local farmers and other value chain actors. A special focus is put into strengthening agritourism at the 1st Pacific Week of Agriculture organised by Vanuatu on 16-20th October 2017. In this context, PIPSO, SPTO, CTA, IFAD and other partners will organise: A focused agritourism workshop to share lessons learned and take stock on progress made in serving tourism markets in selected countries to be held on 18th October (14:00-17:30). A chefs training session. As part of joint SPTO/PIPSO/CTA efforts to promote food tourism in the Pacific region, support Pacific cuisine branding and enhance local chef’s skills in sourcing locally, we will also organise a two day chefs training on 19-20th October 2017.

1. NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE
AGRITOURISM SECTOR IN FIJI
ORGANISED BY THE VANUATU GOVERNMENT, PIPSO, SPTO, IFAD AND
CATD
Wednesday 18th October 2017
Presented by Uraia Waibuta Deputy Secretary Agriculture, FIJI.

2. UNDERSTANDING AGRITOURISM
 Agritourism, as it is defined most broadly, involves any agriculturally-based
operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch.
 Agritourism includes a wide variety of activities, including buying produce direct
from a farm stand, navigating a corn maze, picking fruit, feeding animals, or
staying at a B&B on a farm[1].
 In the Pacific Context – Improving the Traditional System of Agriculture through
the whole value chain to feed a different group of people .
TO ACHIEVE THIS WILL REQUIRE A TOTAL NEW DIMENTION

5. HOW CAN WE FEED WHEN WE DON’T
HAVE ENOUGH?
Background of the Sectors in Fiji
Understanding the Value Chain
Policies
linkages between the tourism and agriculture sector
Efforts by the two Sectors
Opportunities
Proposed Way forward

6. BACKGROUND OF THE SECTORS IN FIJI
Both sectors are significantly important
Rely on agriculture as a major source of Food, Income
and Employment
Continuous Economic Growth –GDP Non Sugar is 6.7%
Employs two thirds of the labour force
 Influenced by the Small Holder Producers despite the
many challenges
Major Contributor to GDP
Major employment creator
Wider Tourist source market

7. WHAT IS REQUIRED AT THE END OF THE VALUE
CHAIN
High Quality Food
Sourcing raw materials from local producers
A new market
Product Development
Attractive and Distinctive
Marketing
The Role of Chefs
That should determine the different types of produce and its
production techniques.

9. POLICIES AS THE KEY DRIVERS
Policies still remains fragmented between Ministries
Trade Policy Framework progressing
MOA has its own 2020 Policy Agenda and other related
Policy
The need to get Stakeholders together to allow
development of a specific Agritourism Policy.
WHO SHOULD BE THE DRIVER?

10. LINKAGES BETWEEN THE TOURISM AND AGRICULTURE SECTOR
 While the Fijian government’s effort through the Ministry of Agriculture is
focused towards meeting the demands from the markets through
strengthening the community based farming groups by forming then into
organized clusters, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is working on the Policy
Framework that can promote this linkages.
 Development of the Policy Frame work is certainly crafted to avoid any cross
cutting issues between Ministries but supplementing each other.
 The Policy is envisaged to be Private sector driven that can allow for
investment opportunities. This has also been well captured in the National
Strategic Plan document and the Ministry of Agriculture Strategic
Development Plan and Annual Cooperate Plan.

11. EFFORTS BY THE TOURISM SECTOR
The Fijian government has increased its emphasis on the development
of the industry through;
 Active marketing of the tourism industry through Tourism Fiji
 Incentives for resorts and hotel development
 Additional air line route through the negotiations of air service
agreements
 Strengthen linkages with other sectors such as Agriculture, Health
and Education to ensuring increasing retention of the tourist dollar
through increase local participation
 Encouraging sustainable tourism development with the setting up off
ecotourism projects and the protection of the environment in the
long run.
 Collaboration with stakeholders

12. EFFORTS BY THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR
 Agriculture Incentives in place at the production end of FOOD supply
 Modernization the Agriculture Sector
 Organized Production Systems – Clusters
 Packing Shed at isolated locations
 Incorporated in the Annual Coperate Plan as an Activity
 Production of desired seed and planting materials
 Negotiations with Hoteliers on market outlets for clusters (PGA)
 Continued collaborating with the Private Sectors.

14. OPPORTUNITIES
 New Income Opportunities
 Poverty Reduction with rural communities
 Reduce Rural to Urban Drift
 Making Agriculture more attractive
 Actors along the value chain can realize growth
 Product Development and Diversification
 Strengthen local production
 Close collaboration through a workable framework – Policy
 Growth in SME’S

16. FACTORS INFLUENCING THE STRENGTH AND TYPE OF
LINKAGE BETWEEN TOURISM AND AGRICULTURE.
1. Increase investment to improve infrastructures:
2. Ministry of Agriculture policies improvement
3. Improve access to information and capacity building:
4. Strengthening Research and Development (R&D)
institutions:
5. Improve on farm post-harvest practices:

17. THE WAYFORWARD
Coordination at all levels
Value Addition and Product Diversification
Organic Agriculture
Market Access
High Value Niche market (Competitive Edge)
Sustainable Land Use
Public Private Partnership (PPP)
Too small to be competing but should be
complementing each other

18. VINAKA VAKALEVU
ANY QUESTION?