Our Background
A Chamber of Agriculture and Fisheries of New Caledonia is both the "voice" of farmers and a service provider, and the network of Chambers is the way forward to develop trade flows and technical exchanges throughout the Pacific.
Chamber of Agriculture and Fisheries of New Caledonia was established in France after the First World War and helped boosting the French agriculture.
Their role is manifold: the representation of agricultural interests with Government authorities and through by their composition (farmers, farm workers...) arguing for a "common agricultural interest" regarding the development of the agricultural economy and production such as land, sanitary issues, education and vocational training, etc.
As a major stakeholder for social and economic development, the Chambers are also in charge of the coordination of projects and activities with professional agricultural organizations and other economic stakeholders. They initiate, coordinate and implement “on the ground” development programs that meet the needs of the agricultural sector, the community as well as new market requirements.
They work in four main areas: "advice and assistance" (diversification opportunities, promoting new and more environmentally friendly practices , legal forms promoting the sustainability of farms and their transmission), "Strengthening transfer of technology" in partnership with technical and research institutions , universities, etc., "boosting growth of agriculture economy in rural areas", creating jobs and generating local value addition; "promoting quality products" developing “quality policies” with all stakeholders, promoting local products that enhance agricultural activity and the fishing industry.
The CANC has three sources of funding:
- A levy on imports of agricultural products (approx. 49% of CANC total annual budget), which illustrates the proactive role of farmers’ representative organization (including the Chamber) and the government's willingness to support local production (i.e. interface farmers organization / government)
- Funding allocated for specific operations: i.e. Fertilizer subsidy, GDS-V and other (approx. 49%)
- Membership fees (2%)
What are the functions and how is the CANC organized and structured?
In New Caledonia, the Chamber of Agriculture is a “public administrative institution” established by Decree (No. 766 of 23 July 1936). This is the advisory body and representative of the interests of the agricultural sector[1] with the Government and it plays a major role in the agricultural sector in supporting development, assistance, advice and training of farmers in rural areas. For that purpose, the CANC designs, manages and contributes in the financing of any action of agricultural and rural interest at national and provincial levels.
CANC Board comprises 30 farmers elected by all members (approx. 2000) in the 3 provinces. The technical and administrative team is distributed in the 3 provinces as follows:
- Management (incl. Technical), Admin & Accounting
- Registry, Secretariat
- Crop Sector, incl. “Crop Sanitary Protection Group[1]”
- Livestock Sector, incl. “Livestock Sanitary Protection Group”
- Economy, Wholesale Market and Fertilizer Supply
- Mechanization
- Vocational training
- Technical Cooperation “Network of Chambers of Agriculture in the Pacific”
- Communication
- North Province Bureau, incl. Farm Management & Accounting Service
- Loyalty Province Bureau
- Decentralized South Province Bureau, incl. “Welcome to the farm” network
Our Members
The Chamber of Agriculture is a farmers' organization serving farmers. It’s not "an organization on top of the other" but an umbrella organization that gives back to the farmer a major role in decision-making within the agricultural sector. Duties are carried out in close collaboration with all stakeholders of the agricultural sectors, including the Government (and Provinces) who entrusts public service missions to the Chamber.
Our Key Activities
Among all the services, here are 4 examples that give an overview of what the CANC is doing (and achieving):
Crop Sector, incl. “Crop Sanitary Protection Group” (GDS-V, in French):
GDS-V has been established to support farmers and proposing solutions to meet with consumers requirements (less pesticides). It acts as a coordination platform and brings together all stakeholders in order to share information and knowledge, endorse strategies and distribute tasks for implementation. GDS-V is specifically involved in i) Plant pest disease diagnosis (Epidemiosurveillance Network); ii) Sustainable plant protection and pest management training. One of the main objectives is “to make farmers the focus” within the decision-making and operational scheme.
- Supply of fertilizer:
Given the high price of fertilizer in New Caledonia (limited volume, high cost of transportation), the provinces agreed to cover part of the cost price (about 42%) and have entrusted to the CANC the management of orders with overseas manufacturers, transport, storage and distribution to members. Again, the CANC is the interface between government & provincial institutions and farmers, providing a much needed service to reduce production costs, however unprofitable for a private company.
- Farm Management & Accounting Service (Centre de Gestion, in French):
Upon request and funding by the Northern Province, which does not have the capacity to implement such service, the CdG offers specific assistance to farmers: accounting & management, technical & economical farm assessment, cash flow monitoring, economic studies, social or fiscal assistance.
This accounting/management monitoring assistance is a prerequisite for success, especially for a young farmer who started his activity recently, but also a condition for government & provincial incentives. This service is all the more justified within the CANC which has a good knowledge of the agricultural context.
- Organic agriculture (POET Com Network):
For most of services to farmers, the Government and/or the Provinces of New Caledonia entrust the management (more efficient) and finance to the CANC, while empowering farmers.