Page 22 - IB MAR 2017

Recovery Assistance
TC Winston Recovery Action assists commercial farmers

By Johnathan Landrey

THE European Union (EU) has supported
several disaster response and recovery
initiatives in Fiji in response to the devas-
tation caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston,
but one particular action has focused on
recovery for commercial farmers and en-
terprises in the agriculture and aquaculture
sectors.
Under the Increasing Agriculture Com-
modity Trade (IACT) Project TC Winston
Recovery Action, the European Union
dedicated FJ$4.3 million to rebuilding the
commercial productive sector, moving
beyond the level of subsistence farming
and informal trading.
The EU Delegation for the Pacific, Head
of Cooperation, Mr. Christoph Wagner said:
“In response to the destruction caused by
TC Winston one year ago the European
Union has been proud to play an important
role in Fiji’s recovery process through a
range of different initiatives. The very
practical support provided under the IACT
project in key agricultural and aquaculture
sectors, including fresh produce, coffee,
cocoa, beekeeping and pearls, made an
important difference, helping to get com-
mercial farmers and communities back on
their feet. By restoring and strengthening
disrupted value chains in the local agri-
culture and aquaculture industries, the
project also contributed to building a more
resilient future for businesses and local
communities.”
Focusing on sustainable and resilient
recovery and not just response, support
was directed at the repair and rebuilding
of damaged infrastructure and operations,
and priority was given to ensuring that
assistance would enhance the strategic
development of the sector.
To improve the resilience and sustain-
ability of the agriculture and aquaculture
sectors in the recovery process, support
focused on the consistent source of healthy
seedlings and tilapia fry, training in best
practices to increase quality of production,
crop diversification, expansion of supply
chains and improved market competitive-
ness.
“As a scientific and technical agency,
the Pacific Community was not only iden-
tifying what physical damages required
support and the provision of equipment
and materials for rebuilding, but asking
EUSPC Cyclone Winston recovery assistance for Pacific Harvest Nursery building seedling capacity to growing Fiji. how best our support could result in a
Photo: SPC

22 Islands Business, March 2017