Nine outstanding winners of the Pacific Agri-Innovate Competition 2024 were recognized at the Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Solutions Forum, held at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort on Wednesday, 6 November 2024.

The winners, three from each Fiji, Samoa, and Solomon Islands, participated in the competition, which included a virtual bootcamp and a pitching competition.

Winners had the opportunity to showcase their products, present their business pitches, and receive the prize money of $1,000 USD each at the forum.

The Pacific Agri-Innovate Competition was an initiative under Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems (STODAS) Project. Funded by the European Union and Implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

The entire Pacific Agri-Innovate Competition 2024 was managed and run by Business Assistance Fiji (BAF), and the Business Link Pacific (BLP) Business Service Managers in Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

The aim of this competition was to strengthen domestic agricultural production and consumption through a resilient and sustainable agrifood system transformation. STODAS Project is implemented in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture in each country and with the technical support of FAO. Fiji – Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, Samoa – Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Solomon Islands – Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Co-operatives Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica congratulated the winners of the Pacific Agri-Innovate Competition 2024.

“We are demonstrating Fiji’s continuous support towards this initiative to drive innovation, and resilience and nurture Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the agriculture industry with the ultimate goal to stimulate and diversify the economy,” said Hon. Kamikamica.
“As we look ahead to a dynamic future centred on transformation and the goal of ‘Building a Green Economy’, our agricultural sector must evolve. We must rise to meet new challenges while also embracing the opportunities that will drive our economic growth.”

Hon. Kamikamica said the first-ever Pacific Agri-Innovate Competition was designed to provide MSMEs a platform to showcase their innovative and niche ideas in the cultivation of their agricultural produce to Fiji and the rest of the Pacific region.

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Technical Advisor (Agrifood Systems), Ms. Genevieve Hussain heads the STODAS Project in Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands.

“Our goal is to reduce imports, promote healthy diets, and build resilient food systems,” she said, recognising the role of government partnerships.

“The Pacific Agri – Innovate Competition gives voice to real-life players in the agrifood sector. Over 30 agribusinesses have benefited from FAO’s “Better Production” framework, which is designed to create demand-driven support for local commodities,” she said.

Ms. Hussain highlighted that FAO is collaborating with local ministries to launch agribusiness incubators that provide essential resources and guidance to Pacific enterprises. These incubators, based within government agencies, offer advisory services, shared facilities, financial information, and networking support.

Praising the nine winners, she emphasised knowledge-sharing and innovation for resilient Pacific food systems.
Mr. Oliver Maes, representing the European Union for the Pacific, expressed pride in supporting FAO’s STODAS Project, which promotes sustainable food production in the Pacific.

He said that innovation sometimes means returning to traditional practices and applauded the Pacific Agri- Innovate Competition 2024 winners who blend tradition with modern techniques.

“Your work not only boosts local food production but also reduces import reliance,” Mr. Maes said.
He praised the winners for their dedication to organic, sustainable practices, creating healthier food options, and building new market links.

“These initiatives offer hope and resilience for Pacific communities, economies, and the environment,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS), Dr. Fiame Leo, highlighted the significant role of the new Agribusiness Incubation Centre (Samoa) in supporting local entrepreneurs.

“The Agribusiness Incubation Centre is a crucial step toward transforming the way we do business in Samoa. We’re providing resources, training, and mentorship to help entrepreneurs transition from street vending to supermarket sales, a key part of expanding their market reach,” he said.

Dr. Leo said that SROS focused on research in food, energy, and environmental sustainability however, the organisation has evolved to support the government’s broader objectives, including fostering the growth of small businesses.

“We’ve seen a lot of positive outcomes in just a couple of months. Entrepreneurs are engaging with the centre, and we’ve had a strong response from the local business community,” he said.

The Director of Ministry Commerce, Industry, Labour, and Immigration (MCILI) Mr. Morris Rapa’ai highlighted the importance of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) promotion in the Solomon Islands, emphasising the government’s focus on fostering business growth.

“We are making significant progress in SME promotion, and this business incubation program is a crucial step toward supporting our local entrepreneurs,” he said.

Mr. Rapa’ai expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead such an impactful initiative and welcomed the winners to present their products, signaling a bright future for agribusiness in the Solomon Islands.

Ten participants each from Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands were selected. They participated in the 10-day virtual bootcamp. The participants covered key topics, including Business Plan Development, E- commerce and Digital Marketing Tools, Financial Management, Marketing Strategies, an Overview of Fiji’s Agriculture Sector, Preparing to Pitch, and Production Planning with a focus on Controlling Costs. These sessions provided essential knowledge to help participants enhance and grow their businesses.

The participants later took part in the pitching competition where three winners from each country were selected.