Farmers in Bua and Taveuni have moved closer to forming their own community-based organic certification groups after completing hands-on training on the Pacific Organic Standards and the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). The sessions equipped them with practical skills they can continue applying as they prepare for certification.
The trainings were delivered between September and October by the Pacific Community (SPC) through the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) initiative. Held at the Mudrenicagi Organic Learning Farm in Bua and at the Marama Vanilla farm in Taveuni, the trainings brought together farmers who want to strengthen their organic practices and understand the steps involved in group certification.
PGS is a community-based method in which farmers visit each other’s farms annually to confirm that practices comply with the Pacific Organic Standard. Trainers explained how regular farm visits, shared responsibility, and transparency support trust and keep certification costs manageable. The Pacific Organic Standard Handbook and the IFOAM PGS Guidelines were used to guide the discussions and to explain compliance requirements suited to Pacific conditions.
SPC Organic Production Systems Officer, Claire Lataste, shared that the trainings sought to strengthen farmers’ confidence and practical skills in organic production, while helping them understand how community-based certification systems like PGS can support their long-term success.
“By demystifying organic farming and PGS processes, we are supporting farmers in Bua and Taveuni to come together to implement agro-ecological practices, to access organic certification and to develop market opportunities,” she said.
In Bua, farmers explored topics central to organic certification, including soil health, seed saving, contamination management, recordkeeping, and peer reviews. Participants shared that the sessions improved their understanding of PGS protocols and boosted their confidence in applying organic practices on their farms. They also identified areas where further support will be helpful, particularly in record keeping and organic seed-saving.
Organic farmer, Rosa Chute, whose husband received the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways’ 2025 Organic Farmer of the Year award, said the training has given clear guidance that they would apply to their family farm. She also encouraged more women to take up organic farming.
Farmers in Taveuni shared that the sessions helped them understand organic standards requirements, record-keeping benefits, soil health and certification procedures. Group exercises allowed them to draft their own Participatory Guarantee System documents and to agree on a shared pledge that reflects the values of their organic cluster.
Participants shared that the training strengthened teamwork and increased their confidence to work toward forming a PGS group. They also expressed a strong commitment to sharing what they had learned with fellow farmers.
Teitei Taveuni founder, Alan Petersen, said the PGS approach relies on trust within the group.
“Honesty and trust among a group of farmers to produce guaranteed organic, nutrient-dense and tasty produce. My takeaway is that PGS ensures that the Pacific Organic Standard is adhered to and thus farmers can confidently state and sell their products as ORGANIC.”
The training sessions have laid the foundation in both locations to form their own PGS groups. Farmers have left with stronger skills, clearer processes and a better understanding of how to work together as they move toward organic certification.
This work is part of the Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network (POLFN) Project under the KIWA Initiative, managed by the POETCom initiative at SPC. The KIWA initiative is funded by the European Union, Agence Françe de Développement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).