Tailevu, Fiji – A transformative two-day workshop held in Namara District has officially launched the Pilot Initiative, a bold program designed to strengthen inclusive, climate-smart value-added production across Fiji. Led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through, the Inclusive Growth Unit, the pilot aims to economically empower 60 women market vendors and farmers from the villages of Nakalawaca, Naikawaga, Tubalevu, Nakorolevu, and Naisausau. The initiative responds directly to community requests for training in organic farming, food safety, and value addition—particularly in processing root crops such as cassava, dalo, kumala, and breadfruit.

 Breadfruit to Breakthroughs - Shaping Namara’s Women and Youth Empowerment

In the quiet villages of Tikina o Namara, a powerful story is unfolding—one of resilience, innovation, and transformation. It begins not in boardrooms or policy papers, but in the voices of market vendors and farmers who dared to dream beyond the stall.

Last year, a group of women vendors from Namara, some operating in Suva and Nausori municipal markets, approached UNDP with a bold request: “Help us add value to what we grow.” That simple plea sparked a concept that is now reshaping livelihoods and economic opportunities for the Narama District communities.

 The Seed of Change

The Mata ni Tikina and Women’s request led to a hands-on training at Koronivia Research Station in November 2024, where women and youth learned to process breadfruit and plantain into flour and chips. The training wasn’t just technical but it also transformational. Participants saw their produce not as raw goods, but as potential products, brands, and businesses.

The impact was immediate. The community expressed interest in forming village-based cooperatives to support small-scale processing facilities. UNDP responded with an awareness session on cooperatives in August 2025, facilitated in partnership with the Department of Co-operatives. The session planted the seeds of enterprise, ownership, and long-term sustainability.

 Farm to Table Before Export: A New Vision

Building on this momentum, saw the need for a pilot training on the “Farm to Table Before Export” concept. Held from September 2025, the training brought together 65 participants—38 women, 7 youth, and 27 men—to explore nutrition, value addition, and market linkages.

Led by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, the training delivered a powerful blend of technical expertise and community engagement. From food safety protocols to organic farming techniques, participants gained the tools to transform their communities from subsistence to sustainability.

 Knowledge That Empowers

The Ministry of Health guided participants through the nutritional value of local produce, hygiene standards, and licensing requirements for food establishments. The Ministry of Agriculture introduced organic manure production, natural pest control, and branding strategies. UNDP’s consultant, Ms. Kaitlan Mahoney, helped bridge traditional practices with modern market demands.

Youth participants emerged as future leaders, addressing succession gaps and strengthening intergenerational collaboration. Women gained confidence not just as vendors, but as entrepreneurs, trainers, and changemakers.

 Impact That Echoes

• Communities now understand the full value chain—from soil to shelf.
• Interest in cooperative formation is growing, with plans for village-based processing facilities.
• Women and youth are equipped to lead income-generating initiatives.
• The model is ready for replication across other provinces in Fiji.

This is a transformational training with its blueprint for inclusive development. It’s a story of what happens when communities are heard, supported, and empowered.