Revitalising Agriculture in Mangaia and Nga Pu Toru: A Proposed Model
The following is a plan for facilitating the project (the roadmap). It comes from the document released by DPM and Agriculture Minister Hon Robert Wigmore on 23 December 2009.
Revitalising agriculture on Mangaia and Nga Pu Toru will require reviewing the current practices and duplicating positive outcomes, and revising outdated practices, and supporting grower capabilities to shift towards a progressive outlook. In order for this to happen, there will need to be a series of inputs, programmed to happen sequentially, to ensure grower support, community enthusiasm, and island development.
The consideration on how this project will be introduced and implemented will vary with each island. It will not be possible to develop a model for implementation that will fit all islands. In general terms however, the Nga Pu Toru islands because of closeness to each other in distance and cultural practices suggests some similarity in how they decide to implement, and maintain the goals of this project. Mangaia will also have its preference. However key components for them to all consider are as follows:
Fostering the environment
1. Community and interest group meetings to announce the initiative and to work with key growers to finalise a plan of action for all stakeholders. These meetings could include Raro-based market outlets, aronga mana, women, and growers.
2. Agree on an approach to developing the startup, distribution, and access to planting materials, machinery, equipment and infrastructure support, and technical advise on each island. Develop a system to organise land clearing, seed purchasing, husbandry plans, and secure futures markets in Rarotonga to support their work. Dialogue with relevant government and airline and shipping representatives to secure a favourable transportation plan. Ensure full stakeholder support and buy in. Finalise an island by island plan for agriculture.
Working alongside the on-island manager to agree over a period of 18 months the best mix and mode of vegetable and fruit production that will ensure fair to reasonable returns to the island’s growers. Technical assistance to provide key growers with options for their final consideration and endorsement, after any reviews and changes.
4. Technical assistance support will be necessary for fostering the community and key grower support, and coordinating activities with transport and market partners.
Growing fruit and vegetables and raising livestock
1. Developing planting plans (which include: types of fruits and vegetables suitable to the tourism and Rarotonga market, and conducive to the four islands climate — e.g. strawberries, cauliflower, broccoli, garlic, onions, cabbages, melons, carrots, livestock raising plan and quotas based on marketing research and support to this industry etc
2. Preparing the land, working with infrastructure and existing machinery on island to clear and till the soil and prepare and secure fencing plans.
3. Technical assistance (on the islands, and Rarotonga) to assist growers identify the best mix of vegetables and fruit and livestock to raise to meet local and tourism demands.
Securing favourable transport and market links
1. Reviewing the economics of marketing fruit and vegetables and raising livestock(see Fostering the environment, 3.) Using the best information agreed by island growers to negotiate with Government and transport providers a method of transportation to the markets. Secure a resource support to cover gaps in the transporting chain.
2. Developing a marketing link with interested and identified market outlets and operations on Rarotonga.
3. Technical support will be required.
Reviewing the trial period
1. Based on the firming up of good individual plans for crop and livestock production, outcomes begin replicating the positives and best practises with more agriculture producing families begin to firm up a long term agriculture plan for the islands (3 year plan) that they must begin to take over in terms of managing and maintaining.
2. Review by all key players/stakeholders.
Structures and methods of work and supply will need to be developed and agreed on fors:
• Materials and equipment supply, hire and support • Seeds and planting material supply
• Market intelligence and information
• Extension, information sharing, and inspection programs
• Levels of monitoring
• Funding, resources, and equipment support • Land development and information sharing • Transporting projections and updates
5 This list is not conclusive.
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