FRA Backyard Farmers Club

History Background

The Fiji Rotuman Association (FRA) Backyard Farmers operate under the umbrella of the Fiji Rotuman Association.  The FRA Farmers Club started in 2010 by John Ravai, Pepjei, Oni and Victor Fatiaki, Itu’muta.  In 2011, the Itu’ti’u joined the FRA Farmers Club by Fauoro Vilsoni, Fuata Viliame and Viki Katafono and the rest of the men folks/members from the various districts joined in 2012.

On 13 April 2024, the FRA Backyard Farmers conducted its workshop, funded by ACP-EU Funding and SPC at Don Bosco Hall, Nakasi.  The workshop was opened with a prayer, led by Catechist Kaliova Bule and closed by Chairman, Mr Veu Vaurasi.  A workshop focusing on Fiji’s Rotuman farmers could cover a range of topics tailored to their specific needs and challenges. Here is a potential outline:

1. Introduction to Rotuman Agriculture: Begin by acknowledging the unique agricultural practices and challenges faced by Rotuman farmers. Highlight the importance of preserving traditional knowledge while integrating modern techniques for sustainable farming.
2. Crop Diversity and Management: Discuss the variety of crops traditionally grown in Rotuma, such as taro, yams, breadfruit, and coconuts. Explore best practices for cultivation, including soil management, pest control, and irrigation methods suitable for Rotuman conditions.
3. Climate Resilience and Adaptation: Address the impact of climate change on agriculture in Rotuma and strategies for building resilience. This could include drought-resistant crop varieties, water conservation techniques, and agroforestry approaches to mitigate soil erosion.
4. Market Access and Value Addition: Explore opportunities for Rotuman farmers to access markets beyond their local communities. Discuss value addition through processing and packaging techniques, as well as certification for organic or specialty products.
5. Community Engagement and Collaboration: Emphasize the importance of community cooperation in addressing shared challenges and seizing opportunities. Encourage networking among farmers, cooperatives, government agencies, and NGOs to facilitate knowledge exchange and collective action.
6. Youth Involvement and Succession Planning: Recognise the role of youth in shaping the future of Rotuman agriculture and provide mentorship opportunities for aspiring farmers. Discuss strategies for intergenerational knowledge transfer and succession planning to ensure the continuity of farming traditions.
7. Case Studies and Success Stories: Share inspiring examples of Rotuman farmers who have overcome challenges and achieved success through innovation, collaboration, and perseverance. Encourage participants to learn from these experiences and adapt them to their own contexts.
8. Action Planning and Follow-Up: Conclude the workshop with a collaborative action planning session, where participants identify priority areas for collective action and commit to specific goals and timelines. Establish mechanisms for ongoing support, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure the sustainability of initiatives developed during the workshop.