Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
natural ecosystems in the Pacific islands are experiencing the negative impacts of
economic globalization and climate hange, whih is threatening fragile habitats, hu-
man setlements and centuries of regional diversity in indigenous knowledge, tradi-
tions, customs and livelihoods.
Conclusion
his hapter discussed initiatives for local food production, whih includes grass-
roots urban production systems (Fiji) and civil society groups in partnership with
small-scale farmers (Samoa). In countries categorized as 'small', distinctions between
what constitutes urban, in contrast to rural, production are perhaps not as important
as the integration of these systems as elements of a local food production network.
The importance of local food production is increasingly recognized at government
levels as a strategy to strengthen food security and local economies. Public policy
directly supporting UPA systems is a further reflection of the significance of its con-
tribution to household food security, savings and source of income. For the global
South in particular, consumption of locally-produced food through UPA can fluc-
tuate from environmental, economic and socio-political conditions. During the ten-
year civil war in Sierra Leone, for example, UPA was a food-source lifeline for urban
dwellers. In post-apartheid South Africa, in contrast, social grants are contributing
a consistent source of income that effectively suppresses the emergence of a robust
UPA sector, as compared to other African cities suh as Lusaka (Zambia) and Free-
town (Sierra Leone).
In the South Pacific islands, subsistence agriculture is a major source of food,
providing up to 80 per cent of food for household consumption. In-depth studies on
consumption of food from UPA sources are very few and those that exist are past
their prime. However, discussions with consumers at urban markets (from the case
studies) provide some indication that consumption of locally produced food, includ-
ing that sourced from UPA, can range from 15-60 per cent; the higher figure a result
of increasing prices in basic foods. Here also, there is real potential for nascent indus-
tries to exploit nihe markets in agriculture, as demonstrated by virgin coconut oil
and nonu juice export production. Although some level of local ownership exists, the
extent of participation in decision-making from village level producers is not clear.
The emergence of a dialogue within Pacific SIDS to shift focus away from exo-
genous sources to endogenous solutions could undoubtedly lead to criticisms of pro-
tectionist policies. However, the seemingly unrelenting onslaught of crises borne out
