29 June 2022– On 28 June, the organic agriculture community in Palau came together at the Palau Organic Policy Review and Consultations Workshop to learn, discuss, share perspectives and shape the way forward for organic agriculture in Palau.
Funded by the Australian Government through the “Building Prosperity for Women Producers, Processors and Women Owned Businesses through Organic Value Chain Project” (BPWP), and organised through SPC by the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom), the meeting provided an opportunity to analyse policy options to support the organic sector in Palau.
With traditional agriculture in Palau drawing heavily from organic practices, the meeting was alive with discussion of ways in which farmers, particularly women, can positively impact the community by investing in sustainable and organic agriculture – and by doing so realise benefits including improved food security, gender equity and greater participation in the industry.
What’s more, the Organic Pasifika Certified accreditation program, which will give consumers confidence in the origins of organically grown and processed food from this region, was explained to attendees. Products featuring this certification will have met all the Pacific Organic Standard criteria and come from farms which have been peer-reviewed annually.
A fruitful and productive day, and one made possible through the support of the Palau Organic Growers Association (POGA) and the Bureau of Agriculture (BOA). Australia is proud to have supported this project, which is helping promote gender equitable organic farming in Palau.
For further information, please contact the Australian Embassy, Palau at 488-4628 or koror.embassy@dfat.gov.au or visit our website https://palau.embassy.gov.au/ and follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/AusEmbPalau/ for more details on Australia’s activities in Palau.