Key Issues in Pacific Agriculture and Value Chain Analysis

Singh, Rup (2015) Key Issues in Pacific Agriculture and Value Chain Analysis. Journal of South Pacific Agriculture, 18 (1). pp. 6-10. ISSN 1018-7774

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Abstract

Despite the continued growth of knowledge capital and smart technologies resulting from research work, scientific studies, and innovations, agricultural productivity and consequently farmers’ incomes and livelihoods continue to remain poor in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). This is due to the presence of distorted and unregulated markets, limited production volumes, high levels of market intermediation (which creates a wedge in prices unmatched by product quality), fragmented connectivity to major markets and the lack of up-to-date technical and market information made available to important players in the industry. Exhibition of best-farm practices, crop trials and availability of high-impact extension services have also been failing in the region. These factors discourage sustainable investment, employment and a stable career prospect for the youths and rural populations. Consequently, despite the rural development policies and Government funding to support rural economies, people continue to migrate to urban centers. It is argued that if the PICs could significantly penetrate global markets or satisfy the growing consumer demands in the Asian region, farm profits, exports and economies of the agricultural societies could improve significantly. In addition, an efficient agriculture sector coupled with supporting infrastructure and trade facilitation could promote livelihoods and welfare of a good majority of the Pacific populations living in the rural area. This paper summarizes the key issues and findings on the Value Chain Analysis (VCA) of PICs’ root and tuber crops production and trade. In general, these key issues include; the lack of information, need for fair trade and product standardization. However, unless the constraints in production and trade are minimized, realizing larger value in agriculture will remain impossible .

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) > School of Economics
Depositing User:	Fulori Nainoca - Waqairagata
Date Deposited:	09 Mar 2020 23:18
Last Modified:	09 Mar 2020 23:18
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/12036

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