S10 - Session O3 - Small-scale food processing and value-adding to improve smallholder livelihoods in the South Pacific

Authors: Helen Wallace *, Shahla Hosseini Bai, Bruce Randall, Craig Johns

Approximately 80% of people in the south Pacific are smallholder rural farmers with mixed species or agroforestry systems with little access to distant markets. Processing and value-adding can stabilize products, increase shelf life and enhance market access, especially if processed locally. However, a market- driven approach is needed to identify opportunities for value-added products and a well-functioning value chain is critical to business competitiveness and long running sustainability. We researched market opportunities and value-chain constraints in the south Pacific for a suite of agroforestry products. The team adopted a transdisciplinary and integrated value-chain approach, with the researchers from different disciplines working together along the value-chain. Commercial, cultural and environmental drivers were considered as part of the value-chain analyses. Opportunities were identified in the fruit, nut and honey industries and the research then focussed on appropriate value-adding, and small-scale food processing. New value-added agroforestry products were developed with local processors (Vanuatu, Solomon Islands), including 3 types of nuts, muesli, dried fruits, chutneys, and jams. Training in value-adding was delivered to 614 female and 90 male participants in Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. In the Solomon Islands, women increased the value of their nuts, selling value-added nuts for $5-6 instead of $2 for raw products. In Fiji 48 women undertook an intensive 6 week workshop and more than half of the participants were engaged in commercial sales of chutneys and jams at the end of the training. Disruptions to the economy caused by Covid-19 highlighted the need for more value-added local food for food security. In Fiji, food trading and bartering of value-added local food was used when many people were out of work. Small-scale food processing and value-adding has the potential to improve food security and increase incomes of smallholders in south Pacific countries.