Pacific people have proudly and skilfully cared for their land and oceans since time immemorial, relying on them for personal and familial subsistence, farming them to feed domestic populations, and harvesting a wealth of products to sell on the international market. Land and ocean management practices are ancient and deeply embedded in Pacific people’s cultures and customs, with their prowess demonstrated clearly through the stability of their food systems through both humanitarian and natural disasters.
Pacific Island Countries (PICs) vary greatly in their geographic makeup and consequently, so does their capacity to generate or rely on income from agricultural pursuits. In Western Melanesia (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu), where agrarian societies pervade, agriculture is an export industry and is also the primary provider of employment and livelihoods. Contrarily, on atolls or coral islands like Palau, Nauru, or Niue, where agricultural activity is prominent, it is largely for the purpose of feeding the domestic population rather than for commercial enterprise.
Despite this diversity, one thing is clear: whether for exports or for subsistence, the agricultural industry remains critical to the wellbeing of Pacific communities.
The economic contribution of subsistence farming is incredibly significant throughout the region. A research paper published by the Australian Government in 2020 outlines that “Smallholder agriculture has provided a generally high level of food security and has been the ‘hidden strength’ of these otherwise structurally weak economies”. Estimates have indicated that in some cases, staple foods consumed by local populations account for more than four times the value of exported agricultural products like copra and cocoa. Evidently, even those agricultural endeavours that are not marketed internationally, contribute significantly to national economic and food security. Consequently, the value of subsistence farming across the Pacific cannot be understated.
Many of the region’s economic gains can also be attributed to commercial agricultural ventures. The production of copra, logging, tuna, sugar and root crops are all key industries and have generated plentiful employment opportunities and income for many PICs since the 20th Century. Contemporarily, we have seen a surge in Pacific businesses considering how they might market products such as kava, chocolate, coffee, and coconut by-products such as oil and water, indicating a diversification of the Pacific export industry, as well as a responsiveness among Pacific business owners to meet global trends and demands.
Though agriculture in the Pacific remains important and fruitful, exporters face a range of barriers that, if left unaddressed, could ultimately impede their longevity. Climatic changes resulting in more frequent and severe weather events threaten crop production, and rising ocean temperatures are impacting the availability of marine resources. Poor management of forests, ocean resources, and minerals poses risks for the longevity of these lucrative industries, and unsustainable farming practices have already reduced soil fertility.
In addition to environmental threats, agricultural ventures in the Pacific are impacted by logistical, financial and labour issues.
The Pacific Islands Export Survey 2024 found that 46 per cent of respondents cited export costs as a major obstacle to their prosperity, while 40 per cent of exporters highlighted that logistical challenges hamper their activity, indicating that extra support around shipping routes could mitigate this. The survey found these issues are impacting the agricultural and manufacturing industries more prolifically than other industries. Despite a pleasing return in export revenue and business confidence to pre-pandemic levels, the capacity to thrive into the future will hinge partially on solutions to these problems.
The Pacific Islands Export Survey 2024 also found that access to finance and investment remains a prominent issue affecting Pacific agricultural exporters, with 76 per cent of respondents outlining this as a major pain point. Low levels of robust financial records among businesses, political issues, and a lack of flexibility from banks are all factors that, if addressed, may aid Pacific businesses to better access finance and investment opportunities.
The barriers faced by our Pacific agriculturalists and exporters are persistent and challenging, and there is no doubt a multifaceted approach to easing some of these hurdles is urgently required for the sake of food security and economic development in the Pacific.
Pacific people have served as custodians of the land since ancient times, maintaining food systems even in the face of great adversity. With their tenacity and skill, aptitude for innovation, and their exploration of dynamic new products and niche markets, the future of agriculture in the Pacific is shaping up to be just like its past – resilient and abundant.
