Like other organisations in the Pacific whose activities were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chambre d’Agriculture de Nouvelle Caledonie (CANC) is raring to go with one of its projects up in the northern province of Houailou.
This project addresses the matter of nutrition in school canteens, and CANC was working with its partners in 2020 when the pandemic struck, and the work put on hold.
Among its partners were the Do Neva Agricultural College, Pacific Food Lab and the Pewake I Ba Association (APIB).
Specifically, the concept was for farming organisations in the province to supply fresh local foods to school canteens in Houailou.
But these farming groups needed help with their governance structures, accounting and management practices.
This is where CANC stepped in.
Working with Pacific Food Lab and Do Neva Agricultural College, CANC convened a think-tank and planning workshop with local product suppliers.
Eleven women were among the 23 participants of the workshop, where the roles of each partner in the food supply chain were discussed and specified.
There was agreement that CANC will be responsible for the list of products and their calendar of harvest.
It will also assist strengthen the supply, processing and distribution capacities of the Pewake I Ba Association (APIB).
Pacific Lab on the other hand would support the canteens through the compiling of menus and preparation, in co-ordination with the Department of Education, Training, Integration and Youth.
By its involvement, the Chambre d’Agriculture de Nouvelle Caledonie is very much living up to its core objectives and ambition of being the voice of farmers as well as for service providers in the agriculture and education sector.
Their four key areas of focus are:
- Advice and assistance
- Strengthening transfer of technology
3. Boosting growth of agricultural economy in rural areas
4. Promoting quality products
The bulk of CANC’s funding comes from import levy on agricultural products and grants.
“The Chamber of Agriculture is a farmer organisation serving farmers.
“It is not “an organisation on top of the other,” but it’s an umbrella organisation that gives back to the farmer a major role in decision-making within the agricultural sector.”