Public Private Partnerships A Fiji Experience

IFAD Funded USD500,000 March 2013-December 2015 Partnering in High Value Agriculture Pilot Project-PHVA

Project Objective 268 participating traditional farmers would have returns increased by at least 20% from the production of high value products, with an approach that is tested and developed further to lend itself to scaling up in larger public sector investments in Agriculture.

Private 268 traditional farmers from 13 highland villages Partnership for Community Development Foundation (PCDF) Bank South Pacific (BSP) Market Middlemen/Retailers Value add Processors Stakeholders

Public Min of Agriculture iTaukei Lands Trust Board Provincial Admin Rural Development Unit Stakeholders

Strategy Scope Production and Marketing of High Value Crops Identification and formation of farmer groups Training of farmers Community facilitation Establishment of a commercial seedling nursery Market Linkages and Facilitation Market research Value chain assessments Marketing linkage activities Pilot credit scheme with a commercial bank

Challenges Data base profiling of the 268 farmers(male/female), formation and training of area groups... Transition from traditional to commercial….vegetable production, nursery management, plant protection, pest management, post-harvest management…. Basic skills…records, budgeting, cash flow and knowledge on farm business management Community facilitation groups formation required an appreciation of the need for speedy evolution of these developed through community awareness, understanding roles and commitments, consolidation of lead groups and the capacity building of farmers via these groups Market operators requiring a minimum number of farm gate collection points faced with the nature of highland roads and distances

Lessons Learnt Market consistency standards for quality and supply Value chains locally are not fully developed so every operator wins MOA stereotype of focusing on crop production in isolation of understanding market behaviours…eggplants, cabbage oversupply Recognition of the need for public sector capacity to strengthen regulatory and financial frameworks in driving “farming as a business” The traditional communal mentality of doing just enough to make just enough is a restrictive factor to growth… Long term commitments need to supplement technical training in responding to the numerous problem types that farmers face Government, NGOs and other service providers need to exercise flexibility in the PPP relationship.

Next Steps Cyclone rehabilitation Scaling Up…building on and scaling up successful projects

Vinaka!