Find Agriculture expertise in Vanuatu
- Industry
- Development
Industry
Vanuatu's economy is primarily agricultural, with agriculture, forestry and fisheries contributing 19% of the country's GDP (2010). In 2009 approximately one third of land was used for agriculture and 15.3% of the population was employed in the sector. However, the majority of Vanuatu's population is limited to subsistence farming. Additionally cash crop production plays an important role; the sector is dominated by copra, coconuts, cocoa and kava. Coffee, fruit and vegetables and fish are also important products for the area. Livestock plays a major role in Vanuatu's economy, with beef exports making a significant contribution to the economy. The major export markets for this are Japan, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The Ministry of Agriculture, Quarantine, Forestry and Fisheries is responsible for managing agricultural resources with sustainable management practices and a focus on local communities. The agricultural sector in Vanuatu has grown steadily since 2003 despite productivity and agricultural growth being limited by insufficient infrastructure and the effects of frequent natural disasters.
Development
The Ministry has identified the export of high value, organically grown commodities as an area of potential development, at the same time as maintaining a balance with traditional food crops. The Vanuatu Agriculture Development Bank (VADB) was established in 2008 to further development in agriculture, forestry, fishery, tourism and manufacturing. The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funds the Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (PARDI) which is designed to further research and uncover development and export opportunities in the region. There are investment opportunities for the private sector in Vanuatu, which are overseen by the Vanuatu Investment Promotions Authority (VIPA). The VIPA-supported initiative Tanna Island Coffee, for example, is a business set up with fair-trading ethics on Tanna Island which invites investment to develop the enterprise.
| Agriculture organisations in Vanuatu | |
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| Ministry for Agriculture & Livestock |
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