FO-RI: FARMERS’ ORGANIZATIONS LEADING RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ON AGROECOLOGY
Pacific Breadfruit Project, Pacific Islands-part of the global FO-RI programme
The main expected aim for the Farmer Innovation for Sustainable Breadfruit Value Chains Project (Pacific Breadfruit Project) in the Pacific is to:
- reverse the traditional model of agricultural research and knowledge transfer by putting farmers/processors and farmer/processor innovation at the center of further development of sustainable breadfruit agroecology and market systems.
- Develop practical solutions to expanding agroecological (AE) production of breadfruit
- Develop practical solutions to product development / processing and market linkages driving new opportunities for small farmers who produce AE breadfruit
In the Pacific 5 farmer organizations lead action research initiatives in 5 countries – Te Tango Enua (Cook Islands), Nishi Trading Ltd (Tonga) Tutu Rural Training Centre (Fiji Islands) PNG Women in Agriculture (Papua New Guinea), Kastom Gaden Association (Solomon Islands).
Research Objective:
Promote the sustainable cultivation, processing, and market development of breadfruit through research, innovation, and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing food security, economic opportunities, and cultural preservation.
Context:
Breadfruit is a versatile and nutritious tropical crop with the potential to significantly contribute to food security, economic development, and cultural preservation. This project focuses on multiple regions, including Temotu, Honiara, and Western Province, which face challenges such as limited food sources, low income, and lack of value-added products.
Action Research Activities
- Improving cultivation methods, higher yields and resource conservation through establishing bulking/demo plots in Temotu, Honiara, and Western Province.
- Redesigning traditional agroforestry systems for breadfruit in Temotu Province using modified practices for optimized, sustainable breadfruit production.
- Researching multiplication techniques and improving access for farmers to breadfruit varieties and planting materials.
- Characterizing and standardizing naming of breadfruit varieties
- Enhancing primary processing techniques and developing local and regional recipes to increase domestic consumption.
6. Conducting breadfruit food processing trials through experimenting with various techniques and ingredient combinations to create food products.
7. Analyzing nutritional content of breadfruit varieties to determine nutritional value for labeling and marketing.
8. Investigating innovations in processing methods through exploring technologies and techniques to enhance breadfruit utilization.
9. Identifying post-harvest handling techniques to extend fruit freshness for domestic and international markets.
10. Market development for breadfruit products through identifying potential buyers and consumers, developing marketing strategies, and establishing distribution networks to increase demand and consumption of breadfruit products.
Target:
- Local farmers: improving the livelihoods of local farmers by introducing advanced cultivation methods, diverse breadfruit varieties, and better propagation techniques. By enhancing production and market access, farmers can secure healthier crops and diversified income streams.
- Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurs are offered opportunities to innovate and add value by exploring new processing methods and creating a variety of breadfruit-based products. This can lead to business growth, job creation, and economic development in their communities.
- Communities: Beyond direct participants, communities benefit from increased access to a wider range of nutritious breadfruit products. Preservation of cultural traditions tied to breadfruit and traditional food processing further enriches local heritage and well-being.
Implementing Farmer Organisations
KGA is the selected lead farmer organization implementing the Pacific Breadfruit Project in the Solomon Islands and will lead and be the main point of contact for all project related activities. ‘Kastom Gaden’ is a Solomon Islands Pijin language term meaning ‘customary gardening’. The organization is an indigenous nonprofit (charitable trust) that works with Solomon Island communities to improve their food security.