Kiwa EMPOWER undertakes Climate Smart Agriculture training in Fiji

Climate-smart agriculture training is empowering communities with knowledge, innovation, and traditional practices to adapt to a changing climate. The training was conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Land Use Unit in the Northern Division.

The Kiwa EMPOWER Project team successfully completed its first Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) training across twenty communities within the three provinces of Cakaudrove, Bua, and Macuata Province. The training program consisted of theoretical learning sessions and open discussions focused on strengthening sustainable agricultural practices and improving community resilience to climate change.

The first component of the training focused on the establishment, maintenance, and sustainable management of community nurseries. Participants were trained on the importance of nurseries in supporting long-term agricultural sustainability and environmental conservation. Theory sessions included composting and biochar production, pot mixing techniques, seed raising, and seed saving methods. Community members were encouraged to utilize locally available materials and traditional knowledge to ensure the sustainability and continued operation of the nurseries beyond the project period.

The second component focused on the identification and promotion of resilient and repellent crop varieties suitable for each community. Communities worked collaboratively with the project team to identify existing resilient crops currently grown within their areas and also select sites for planting climate-resilient crops. The community members were also trained on planting methods and suitable planting seasons for the selected crops. This activity aims to strengthen food security and improve community resilience to changing climate conditions.

The final component of the training focused on backyard gardening to support household subsistence farming and improve nutrition at the community level. Vegetables selected for the training included long bean, English cabbage, eggplant, cucumber, and pumpkin. Participants received theoretical training on site selection, land preparation, planting methods, raised garden bed construction, and proper maintenance practices required for healthy crop growth until harvest. The activity encouraged households to establish and maintain backyard gardens as a sustainable source of food and livelihood support.

Overall, the training provided communities with theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to strengthen climate-smart agricultural practices, improve food security, and promote sustainable environmental management within their respective communities.

The Kiwa EMPOWER Project combines ecosystem restoration, climate-smart agriculture, water resource management, indigenous knowledge, and inclusive decision-making to help communities thrive in a changing climate.

Implementation is being carried out by by Live & Learn Fiji in collaboration with Live & Learn Solomon Islands and Live & Learn Environmental Education Tuvalu.

For more information, refer to our website: www.livelearnfiji.org

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade I European Union in the Pacific I La politique étrangère du Canada – Affaires mondiales Canada I AFD – Agence Française de Développement I New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade I Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme – SPREP I IUCN Oceania I Pacific-Community-SPC I Kiwa Initiative

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