27 September 2010: Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services (HOAFS) convened in Nadi, Fiji, from 14-17 September 2010, for the Fourth HOAFS Meeting. The meeting focused on the value of agrobiodiversity through good land-use planning to address food security, climate change and trade challenges.

Key issues discussed at the meeting included the need for: land-use planning that ensures the right crops, trees and livestock breeds are planted in the right places; efficient distribution of planting and breeding material; balancing the trade-off between diversity and productivity; and better animal health services, including through the training of more Pacific Islanders as veterinarians or paraveterinarians.

Challenges to improving agrobiodiversity also were discussed, including: urban drift, the movement from smaller atolls of often over 60% of the population to the main island; lack of people trained in the livestock health and biosecurity services needed to control zoonotic diseases; and young people’s lack of interest in farming or farming-related careers.

Recommendations from the meeting included increasing consumer education about the nutritional value of local foods, and increasing services available beyond main towns, making rural areas more attractive and encouraging young people to stay on the land. [SPC Press Release]