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Pacific Regional Food Security Programme

This year is seeing the expansion of a participatory programme in which Pacific island countries and territories are addressing their food security issues through mainstreaming sustainable agriculture into their national agricultural activities.

The ten African, Caribbean, Pacific island (ACP) countries of Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu and the French Overseas Territories of French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna have been participating in the Development of Sustainable Agriculture in the Pacific (DSAP) programme since its inception in 2003. Funded by the European Community and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), DSAP provides funding that enables the participating countries to implement activities at national level that will help with food security through sustainable agriculture. In early February 2004, the European Union Commissioner, Mr Paul Nielsen, signed an agreement that allowed the six new ACP countries of Cook Islands, Niue, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau and Federated States of Micronesia to join the DSAP programme.

The Regional DSAP programme features:

• A participatory approach. This involves listening to the farmers' needs, identifying their problems and using appropriate technology and resources to work with the farmers in solving their problems. The results from Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRAs) largely determine national workplans and activities.
• Guidance at country level. This is provided by a National Steering Committee (NSC) comprising partners and stakeholders in agriculture. It includes NGOs working in local communities, other government departments, educational institutions, women's groups, youth groups and farmers themselves who represent farmer groups.
• Partnerships, collaboration and synergies. At regional level, DSAP works with other sections within SPC to deliver services. Whether it is the SPC Plant Protection Services for advice on agricultural pests and diseases or the Animal Health Unit, DSAP seeks the services of other sections within SPC to respond to identified farmer needs.
• National capacity building in extension. This will enable extension officers to identify farmer problems in a participatory manner, ensuring that the farmers' interests are at the centre of the solution. DSAP will also strengthen national capacity to produce extension information and ensure that the information is communicated effectively and is accessible to farmers. Sharing lessons, ideas and information about sustainable agriculture is central to DSAP activities.

For the ten countries that have been participating in the DSAP programme so far, national activities include establishing crop/tree nurseries, improving soil fertility, supporting small-scale agriculture industries, supporting institutional agriculture development, providing and distributing planting materials, and conducting and supporting on-farm trials.

With the commitment shown by the ACP island countries to the DSAP programme and the addition of six new countries, the Pacific region with its susceptibility to natural disasters, impacts of climate change, increasing populations and health related diseases is leading the way to ensure sustainable island livelihoods.

Contact: Danny Hunter, Team Leader,
DSAP Programme, SPC Suva, Fiji.
Email: DannyH@spc.int

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