In the heart of Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, Amena Banuve’s office is a strategic hub where the country’s food security future is being reimagined. As Director of the Land Resources Planning and Development Division, Amena Banuve navigates the intersection of global climate commitments, local farming realities, and national policy, transforming ideas into action for farmers and communities alike.
Food autonomy as national priority
For Amena, food autonomy is a national security imperative. Fiji, with only 16% of its land arable and nearly 30% of food imported, faces unique pressures. The COVID-19 pandemic and cyclones Winston (2016) and Yasa (2020) exposed the fragility of global supply chains and infrastructure. Amena emphasizes, "Food security isn’t just about growing more food; it’s about growing the right food in the right places."
Fiji’s alignment with UN conventions (UNCCD, UNFCCC, CBD) and a nearly FDJ$1 million investment this year in sustainable land management reflect the government’s commitment. Amena notes, "Our national development plans for 2024-2028 are explicitly linked to international commitments because every hectare of our limited arable land must be used with efficiency."
The farmer-to-farmer system: empowering change from within
Through the Kiwa POLFN approach, farmer-to-farmer system has become the foundation of Fiji’s agricultural transformation. Amena Banuve explains: “Farmers trust their neighbors more than experts from the capital," he notes. "When a farmer sees a colleague increase yields with homemade compost or intercropping, they’re more likely to try it themselves. Knowledge shared this way spreads faster than any government campaign."
This grassroots approach has proven groundbreaking. Demonstration farms and farmer exchanges have shifted mindsets, showing that sustainable practices can be both productive and profitable. Amena’s vision is clear: "If we want youth to stay in rural areas, we must make farming appealing — and the farmer-to-farmer system is how we do it."
The regional dimension: Fiji’s leading role in Pacific climate adaptation
Fiji is not just securing its own food future; it’s positioning itself as a regional leader in climate adaptation. Amena highlights the Kiwa Initiative’s role: "Through our partnership with the Kiwa Initiative and its Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network (POLFN) program, we’ve established demonstration farms and trained ministry staff in agroecology, proving that traditional Fijian knowledge and modern innovation can transform our food systems together." The nature-based seawalls in his home province of Ra have become a model for coastal adaptation, protecting communities, and creating new opportunities for coastal farmers.
Amena Banuve’s work embodies pragmatism and vision, ensuring Fiji’s food systems adapt to climate realities while honoring the land and its people. His approach offers a path forward that is both practical and principled: "We must ensure the resources we have today are preserved for future generations."
