Promoting workplace inclusion and domestic violence prevention

NEWS

Breaking barriers in kava science: Deepti Devi’s groundbreaking research

March 4, 2025

Breaking barriers in kava science: Deepti Devi’s groundbreaking research Deepti Devi is making history in Fiji’s kava research, a field traditionally dominated by men. As part of her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Fiji National University (FNU), she is conducting groundbreaking work to analyse the kavalactone content in the roots and rhizomes of different kava varieties. Kavalactones are the active chemical compounds responsible for kava’s sedative properties. By studying their

Farming the future: Ane Mataitoga’s mission to protect crops and break barriers

March 3, 2025

Farming the future: Ane Mataitoga’s mission to protect crops and break barriers Ane Mataitoga Research Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways “Follow your passion!” These are the words of Ane Mataitoga, a dedicated research officer with the Plant Health Project, under the Ministry of Agriculture. Through the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program, Australia and New Zealand support the Plant Health Project, an initiative focused on

Celebrating a Milestone: Lapaha Packhouse Achieves HACCP Certification

March 3, 2025

Celebrating a Milestone: Lapaha Packhouse Achieves HACCP Certification The Lapaha Packhouse is now HACCP-certified, marking a significant milestone in Tonga’s food export industry. With technical support from #PHAMAPlus, funded by Australia and New Zealand, this facility now meets international food safety standards, opening doors to higher-value markets. This achievement brings multiple benefits to Tonga, including: Greater export opportunities for root crops, watermelons and coconuts More income for over 300 farming

Lami Kava launches instant green kava

February 28, 2025

Lami Kava launches instant green kava Lami Kava launches instant green kava Lami Kava launches instant green kava Lami Kava announced the launch of its new dehydrated green instant kava powder, a ground-breaking innovation in the kava industry. The launch, officiated by Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, marks a significant milestone for the company as it continues to take Fiji’s kava industry to new heights. One of

Revolutionising ginger production in Fiji

January 27, 2025

Revolutionising ginger production in Fiji When Calvin Qiu started his small ginger farm at Navua in 1997, he had little to no farming experience. All he had was a passion to learn and tenacious spirit to excel. Over two decades later, Mr Qiu has grown to be one of the country’s biggest exporters of the much sought after spice. His company, Kaiming Agro Processing Pte Ltd, has built a strong

Enhancing Kava Production, Increasing Volume, & Promoting Diversification in Vanuatu

January 21, 2025

The PHAMA Plus Program has signed new partnerships with Mount Kava, Hebrides Gate and El Manaro to improve kava production, volume and diversification in Vanuatu. These partnerships aim to increase Vanuatu’s kava exports through sustainable production, investment in onshore processing and product innovation.The proposed interventions align well with the objectives of the Regional Kava Development Strategy 2024 – 2028, the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) and Vanuatu’s kava strategy. For more

Partnership to enhance kava industry

January 20, 2025

The Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program, funded by Australia and New Zealand, has signed a new partnership with Fakatoumafi Kava Trading & Finance Services to support the kava sector in Tonga. This collaboration will focus on improving Fakatoumafi Kava’s processing capacity and food safety standards, and ensuring higher quality kava products for domestic and diaspora export markets. With enhanced processing capacity and improved product quality

Supporting Vanuatu’s resilience to climate shocks

January 17, 2025

The PHAMA Plus Program is working closely with Vanuatu to build greater resilience of the country’s agriculture sector to natural disasters. PHAMA Plus is strengthening seed distribution systems, providing seed bank tool kits and improving access to high-quality, climate-adapted seeds for farmers in partnership with Vanuatu Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Centre (VARTC) through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries & Biosecurity.

SAPE expands with new facility, better exports

January 9, 2025

The Australia and New Zealand funded Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program is pleased to be working alongside Saints Agriculture Produce & Export – Sape in Samoa to help improve their operations and expand their reach. SAPE has been a cornerstone of the local agricultural community for over 9 years, providing fresh taro and other crops like yams, cocoa and kava to the American Samoa market.

January 6, 2025

The Australia and New Zealand-funded Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program and Lami Kava partnered with Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre to support the development of a Workplace Domestic Violence Policy and to train management and staff in the policy application and on eliminating Gender Based Violence. We also partnered with the Pacific Disability Forum to deliver disability inclusion training to support Lami Kava to develop a

New Child Safeguarding Policy set for Niue’s Chamber of Commerce

December 23, 2024

The Australia and New Zealand supported Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program partnered with the Niue Chamber of Commerce to develop the country’s first ever Child Safeguarding Policy. The policy articulates the Chamber’s approach to ensuring children are safeguarded and protected in the implementation of the Chamber and its members’ work. The policy and associated guidance notes detail how the chamber will assess child safeguarding risks, apply mitigation

New plant varieties for Samoan women in ornamental horticulture

December 19, 2024

A new shipment of orchids and anthuriums arrived today in Samoa, marking another milestone in the ongoing efforts of the Australia and New Zealand supported Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program to grow the ornamental industry in Samoa. The second phase of this initiative supports the remarkable work of Samoan women and villagers who cultivate a wide range of ornamental plants and floriculture products. The plants

Partnership boosts workplace equality and safety initiatives

December 16, 2024

Kaiming Agro-Processing is one of the largest suppliers of ginger in the world.The PHAMA Plus Program partnered with Kaiming to support the procurement of new equipment and improvements to processing facilities, and the development and adoption of inclusive business processes and practices. Specifically, through the partnership Kaiming has established a safe, secure and comfortable accommodation facility for women workers from remote locations saving them from long travel times or expensive

Making a significant impact on the quality of dried cacao beans & kava

December 13, 2024

The Australia and New Zealand funded Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program is proud to announce a major milestone in improving agricultural practices in rural Vanuatu. In partnership with the Vanuatu Primary Producers Authority the successful handover of second-generation solar dryer materials is transforming the way cacao and kava are processed in local communities. Building on the success of the program’s first phase, these upgraded solar dryers are

Support to meet the evolving needs of international markets while promoting sustainability & growth

December 10, 2024

Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program is pleased to announce its partnership with Foundations for Farming in Samoa to expand their crop processing facility and strengthen their export business. Providing a reefer container for cold storage and essential processing equipment will support Foundations for Farming to improve their capacity to meet growing demand for their fresh and frozen produce in Australia, American Samoa and New Zealand.

PHAMA Plus: Supporting Fiji’s Agribusiness Innovation

November 30, 2024

PHAMA Plus: Supporting Fiji’s Agribusiness Innovation The Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) program, funded by Australia and New Zealand, proudly sponsored the Agribusiness Innovation Award at the 2024 Prime Ministers International Business Awards. The award celebrates the outstanding efforts of those in Fiji’s agribusiness sector who are driving positive change through new technologies, sustainable practices and inclusive business models. PHAMA Plus is pleased to congratulate this

Boosting speciality cacao exports in Vanuatu

August 1, 2024

Boosting speciality cacao exports in Vanuatu The Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program, supported by Australia and New Zealand, is working with Vanuatu’s Gaston Chocolat Limited to increase processing, storage, quality standards and marketing of specialty cacao, which drives high incomes for farmers. In 2023, Vanuatu exported 1,800 tonnes of bulk cacao, compared with only 80 tonnes of specialty cacao, which are high-quality cocoa beans. Specialty

Modernising Fiji’s capacity for fresh produce exports

June 7, 2024

Fresh produce exports from Fiji will soon benefit from an upgraded treatment facility, following a new partnership agreement signed between Nature’s Way Cooperative (Fiji) Ltd and the Australian and New Zealand supported Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program. Announced yesterday by New Zealand Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon during his first official visit to Fiji, the partnership focuses on upgrading the software, hardware, and operational

RESTORING LAND THROUGH SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

June 5, 2024

PHAMA Plus partner Melesisi Finefeuiaki of Lotopoha Export Trading uses mulch and intercropping for better soil health on her taro farm in Tonga. World Environment Day 2024 focuses on restoring land, addressing desertification, and building resilience to drought. “Land sustains all forms of life through an ecosystem. Intensification of agricultural practices, however, has been a key driver in the loss of biodiversity and has enhanced the impact of climate change,”

Boosting Tonga’s Watermelon exports with better storage

May 27, 2024

Tonga’s watermelon exports will soon benefit from improved cold storage and smart irrigation systems, following a new partnership signed between Nishi Trading Company Limited and the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program. Supported by Australia and New Zealand, PHAMA Plus is working with Nishi Trading to upgrade their existing cold storage facility and pilot a new irrigation system to enhance drought resilience and increase yields and