Summary of publication

This document details the justification, objectives, planned impacts, management arrangements and budget for $1.5 million Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) soil health project in Fiji, Samoa and Kiribati (Jan 2011 to Dec 2014).

The proposed project focuses on restoring soil health and developing indicators that growers and extension workers can use to assess soil health. It also aims to build systems to communicate soil health concepts among growers, and change their farming methods for healthier soils. The research in Fiji will focus on taro farming on Taveuni Island.

Expected outcomes in Fiji are improved soil health and taro yields at the pilot sites, sustainably higher incomes for farmers, more efficient use of agricultural inputs, and reduced environmental impacts from agriculture (including reduced pressure to clear more forest and reduced soil erosion).

Full publication

Fiji Rural Economic Development Program Design Document–ACIAR [PDF 198 KB]