Transcript
KIERY MANASSAH - Because of the late arrangement in trying to get this in motion, we've only really just started, you know, in Vanuatu there's still a number of events that have taken place including the Pacific Mini Games, which is coming up, so a lot of people are looking forward to the Pacific Mini Games, but we're trying to get people to also appreciate that we have a very big regional event that Vanuatu is yet to organise and host and so hopefully we can divert a lot of the attention towards the Mini Games, which is coming much, much later, for this meeting, but from the industry and especially from I think the involvement of the general commerce here, they've got a lot of support from local industry players especially from the agriculture and tourism sector, so they are all ready to showcase and take part in the first two days of a great festival that's taking place.
SELA JANE HOPGOOD - What local products does Vanuatu have ready to showcase at this event?
KM - I can tell you that one or two quality organic products farmers are prepared to put up and showcase at the festival. We have also a lot of agribusiness for example local oils, coconut oils and a lot of other agricultural products that sell like coffee and cocoa, which will also be on display during the first two days of the festival.
SJH - Why is this event important to have in the region?
KM - Well the thing is Sela to tell you the truth, agriculture forms the backbone of a lot of the countries economies in the region. The sad fact is that it hasn't really taken off in terms of really getting the people's interest, therefore you know, a lot of focus has been on other sectors and so we believe that with the hosting of the first ever Pacific Week of Agriculture, the governments in the Pacific would start re-focusing their attention on what's very very important on the ground in terms of getting people involved in the agriculture sector and getting them involved in the economy of their own country, so this is what the whole idea of having this Pacific Week of Agricultural is all about. We hope to have it more regularly and I think it's going to be considered an annual event, but it really is a big big thing for Vanuatu and the region as far as we are concerned.
