Australian researchers from Queensland University’s “Pacific Agricultural Research for Development Initiative (PARDI)” are leading a vegetable research project know as PGS (Participatory Guarantee Systems) in Fiji and the Solomon Islands to help identify ways to strengthen food production and manufacture in the region.

According to PARDI project leader, Julie Lloyd the project “aims to link growers and resorts so that growers produce their crops to the specifications needed by the resorts…best variety, colour, size, shape and firmness that the guests at restaurants expect in their meals”

She said that the PGS Project is conducting market research to determine the preferred types and quantities of vegetables, and also conducting research into the production challenges that farmers experience.

The project was initiated last year with a  two day Stakeholder Workshop held in Sigatoka, Fiji November 14-15 bringing together members of the food industry such as growers, hoteliers and policy makers to observe each other’s activities as part of the “vegetable production chain”

PARDI project member, Suzanne Neave said “Participants were given the opportunity to experience parts of the vegetable production chain that they would not normally be exposed to through open discussions and tours to each other’s farms and facilities”

“Overwhelmingly, workshop attendees were amazed by how little they knew about each other’s operations and commented on how understanding the ‘chain’ would be of enormous benefit”

The PARDI group also says it will offer business training to farmers for negotiating with resorts and hotels.