August 2020, Pacific 

Organic farmers and agricultural product producers in the Pacific are calling for an increase in consumption of local, sustainably grown healthy food, as well as greater use of technology and online platforms for growing, selling and buying produce as a response to disruption in their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These and additional pandemic recovery solutions for the agriculture sector were released today in the COVID-19 Survey Report completed by the POETCom (Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community) programme of the Pacific Community’s Land Resources Division.

The survey, which received responses from farmers and agriculture-based organizations throughout the Pacific, revealed that close to 84 percent of respondents’ markets and sales were affected by the pandemic, with close to 40 percent stating that they were already receiving outside assistance, or planned to receive assistance in the near future to boost their post-COVID recovery. Respondents suggested a number of actions to ensure agriculture and its supply chains are more resilient to future disruptions, including building a stronger organic community from seed to table.

“This is an excellent opportunity to accelerate the transition to organic,” stated Jim Pierce, the POETCom Coordinator. “We hope to stimulate and guide suggested actions such as cultivating backyard gardens for home use and bartering, seed storage to prevent depletion during emergencies, and building model farms with multiple crops and income streams to decrease reliance on one product and market. We will move forward with these ideas to strengthen local and regional organic systems and help re-engage the current idle workforce.”