Quantcast
Channel: Business – Fiji Sun
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 3098

Value Chain conference to help strengthen Agiculture in the region

$
0
0

Participants of the three-day Pacific Value Chains Conference held at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi. Photo: SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY

By ARISHMA DEVI

Better chain of communication and introduction of modern technology in agricultural is vital in order to strengthen the industry.
To help channel better links with the stakeholders of the agricultural sector in the region, a three day Pacific Value Chains Conference was held in Nadi.

Pacific participation
The conference saw participants from more than 10 Pacific countries, at the Tanoa International Hotel.
The conference was facilitated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
A representative of Secretariat and conference coordinator, Tim Martyn, said Value chains are structured linkages in the midst of actors.
These may be groups of producers, traders, processors, and service providers who join together in order to improve productivity and worth added.
“This chain includes the in-between stage of production which the process of transportation and other activities to delivery to final consumers, and final disposal after use.”

Managing challenges
By joining forces, the stakeholders of the industry in the chain can increase competitiveness which will be better competitiveness.
Key points include:
•    Lack of communication and educational information of improving product and process;
•    Finance- Mr Martyn said a lot of farmers have lack or no finance which leads to downfall of their productivity;
•    Initiatives to increase communication in the Agriculture sector;
•    Mobile-based services agri-businesses;
•    According to a project implemented by the International Trade Centre in Fiji, funded by the European Union, new mobile applications have been placed in Fiji to help stakeholders to get a better understanding of markets, demand and planning of sowing and harvesting.
They are FCLC (Fiji Crop and Livestock Council) membership, mAlerts, mCollection and mPrices, Farmer’s mTips and Fiji Makete.

Other aiding applications
These applications have been hosted in Fiji since 2012 and can be accessed via Fiji Makete Web Page – Subscription Service or via mobile phone – Dial *142# on one’s mobile (Vodafone trial platform).
Mr Martyn said the idea of the mobile services is to keep the stakeholders and farmers informed via simplest means.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 3098

Trending Articles