Vanuatu Island opts for organic solution

Transcript

Emae island in Vanuatu is banning the use of fertilizers and synthetic materials, and declaring itself an organic island.

The island must now wait for certification from the Pacific Organic Standard, which can take up to three years, while more than 300 farmers on Emae are to start using organic farming methods.

Chairman of Emae's chiefs John Timakata told Lucy Smith that the way they are farming isn't changing dramatically, and the decision to get certification is a step in the right direction for the region.  

JOHN TIMAKATA: Basically the chiefs and the people were trying to find a way where they can help the people in respect to the crops that go on the island. Through the organic farming project which is supported by Port Com which is the pacific organic and ethical trade community they had this organic program to engage youth in organic farming. The idea behind the island, the chiefs of the island wanting to get into the program was because they saw it as a way to - with the organic certification as adding value to the crops which are seeking to find markets in Port Vila under the organic certifications. Also because the program encourages traditional methods in farming and that was a way of maintaining and keeping the youths knowledge in traditional farming methods.

LUCY SMITH: I understand that in order to go organic you can't use any sort of pesticides or GMOS on your soil for at least 3 years.

JT: That's correct the people from Port Com came through and have already had an awareness session and training session with the chiefs, and the farmers' association along with the youths on the island. We've also had to get the confirmation from the ministry of agriculture that confirm that no pesticides or chemicals have been used on the island.

LS: Have you still got to go through those processes of fitting out that criteria in order to be considered organic, or are you at the point now where you will be considered organic?

JT: We're still going through process. The people from Port Com are coming down again in two to three weeks' time for us to go through completing process for us to get certification.

LS: How modified is the farming on island, is this going to be a huge change for farmers?

JT: It won't be a huge change. Basically it's the traditional method of farming.

LS: There is a hope that this will project will address problems with youth unemployment in the Pacific islands region.

JT: Yes that's correct that a way to get the youth to engage again in farming, the organic certification will add value to that as an incentive for the youth to engage.