Journey through the Pacific Islands???: Unveiling Potential for Agri-Food and Biotech Startups??

Imagine a Google Map?? zooming in from 400-500 km above the South Pacific Ocean, revealing a scattering of tiny island nations. Among these islands, a few stand out: Fiji, often considered the gateway to the Pacific; Samoa, famously known as the maternal home of WWE star "The Rock"; the Solomon Islands; and Tonga. Each of these islands holds its unique charm and significance, weaving together the rich tapestry of the Pacific region.

?“Fun Fact: Samoa is the first country to see the sunrise each day??

??I am captivated by the lush greenery of the Pacific islands ??emerged, promising new adventures and opportunities. As the sun rose over the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean, I embarked on a journey to explore the rich agricultural landscapes of Fiji, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands???.

This trip has been not just about witnessing the natural beauty of these islands so far but also understanding the vast potential they hold for Agri-food startups. Each island, with its unique blend of traditional practices and modern innovations, offered a wealth of insights and opportunities for aspiring agripreneurs.

First time in the Pacific, my journey is not just about exploring new territories but about "planting seeds of entrepreneurship and innovation" that could transform the agrifood landscape of Fiji, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands primarily.

?It rightly said that “Agriculture goes Wrong, Nothing can go Right”.

?The challenges of the pandemic followed by global supply chain disruptions led many Pacific countries to a 5F crisis (food, feed, fuel, fertilizer & finance). High import dependence has led to various challenges in the agrifood sector which can only be normalized through the strategic framework. ?

?Exploring the Pacific Potential

Having spent years working in various regions such as Southeast Asia, Africa, Israel, and the Middle East, my experiences have shown is showing that every region has unique strengths and challenges. The Pacific is no different.

The Pacific Islands, with their rich biodiversity, provide a fertile ground for agri-food and biotech startups, leveraging fertile soils, diverse marine life, and unique flora and fauna to innovate in agricultural practices and develop high-value crops and nutraceuticals.

Innovation holds the power to Stimulate and Strengthen untapped markets through agripreneurship framework, fostering a dynamic startup culture and establishing a formal Startup and Entrepreneurship cell under concerned ministries. These policy-driven interventions must be achieved through the collaborative efforts of development agencies, federal funders, international foundations, impact organizations, and government bodies.

In this context, the potential for agri-food and biotech startups shines brightly while encompassing R&D institutions and academic universities and empowering Pacific with Global Entrepreneurship learnings tailored to local needs and agricultural scenarios. The integration of technology can revolutionize traditional farming, and the establishment of a Pacific incubation network will catalyse startups with the right resources, training, and collaborative ecosystem to drive innovation and growth in the Pacific's agri-food sector.

??Current Scenario and Pacific Potential

?Fiji (????): The Garden Island's Agribusiness Potential

Fiji, often referred to as the "Garden Island," is a paradise not just for tourists but also for agricultural enthusiasts. Across the Pacific “#FijianMade” products are mostly observed in supermarkets and have observed much-evolved SMEs and startups. Sugarcane has been the backbone of Fiji’s agriculture, but there is so much more to explore. There are several farms where farmers are experimenting with high-value crops like vanilla, ginger, and turmeric. Fijian Turmeric is famous as it's grown in the wild with high curcumin content. These crops, with their increasing demand in global markets, present lucrative opportunities for startups to explore organized farming.

?Samoa (????): Embracing Tradition and Innovation

Despite being just an hour's flight from Fiji, Samoa has a unique agricultural landscape with a minimal presence of SMEs. Mostly grown are root crops like taro and yams other than bananas, coconuts, and cocoa. Recently, there's a shift towards cultivating fruits such as papaya and noni due to their high nutritional and medicinal value. This diversification opens opportunities for agribusiness startups, especially in food processing and dehydration. By investing in these sectors along with value driven capacity building, Samoa can add value to its produce, reduce post-harvest losses, and create new economic opportunities. This can position Samoa as a hub for high-quality, value-added agricultural products in the global market.

?Solomon Islands (????): The Untapped Potential

In the Solomon Islands, agriculture thrives on cocoa and coconut, with a significant push towards aquaculture and floriculture. Rich in resources like kava and sandalwood, the islands hold great potential for international markets. What stands out is the collaborative spirit among NGOs, government bodies, and private enterprises, focusing on capacity building and training. This synergy is paving the way for agribusiness innovation. The future is bright for agri-startups in cocoa and coconut processing, sustainable aquaculture, floriculture, and value-added kava and sandalwood products, positioning the Solomon Islands as a promising hub for agribusiness.

?As I keep on learning every day, could foresee below Agri-food transformation areas towards making a self-reliant Pacific:

?· ??Capacity Building and organized farming: In the Pacific, traditional farming methods are prevalent, necessitating a shift towards commercial farming activities. A need for adopting modern technologies can significantly enhance crop production and improve per-acre productivity while attaining youth in agriculture. By focusing on capacity building and skill development within the community driving sustainable growth and prosperity in the region.

· ??Branding and Marketing Local Organic Production: Imagine local organic products like cocoa, kava, noni, turmeric, etc. being recognized globally and attracting international processing companies from markets such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the Middle East, and Europe. This approach not only promotes local production but also fosters a sense of pride and sustainability in our communities.

· ??Value addition and on-farm processing: Establishing facilities for the production of items such as dehydrated papaya candies, taro powder, jams, jellies, banana chips, jackfruit chips, and cold-pressed oils can significantly enhance value. These initiatives not only diversify product offerings but also create new market opportunities and increase profitability for local farmers.

·???Low-Cost Farm Mech & Solar Dehydrators: In rural areas, low-cost farm implements like planters, cutters, solar dehydrators, etc. can be a game-changer. By harnessing the power of the sun, these dehydrators can significantly reduce food loss and enhance food security.

·???Introducing Climate Resilience Germplasm: By introducing new climate-resilient crop varieties that are drought-resistant and salt-tolerant, we can safeguard the Pacific's import-dependent agricultural future.

· ??Portable Biogas Energy: Given the unique terrain and scale of our region, portable biogas plants could be a socially impactful intervention. These plants, featuring inflatable bags or floating drums to collect and store biogas, offer a sustainable energy solution. They not only provide clean energy but also help manage organic waste effectively, bringing a positive change to rural communities in the Pacific.

??Long-Term Futuristic Vision:

Given the fact and importance of the coastal regions, it is understood the importance and scale of the fisheries sector and its scope. Emerging sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, ocean-derived health supplements, and nutraceuticals present a compelling opportunity for large R&D-driven companies to establish coastal research centres and advance marine biotechnology.

The role of a formal Startup cell or agrifood incubator can act as a powerful catalyst for attracting global innovators and founders for a vision to “Strengthen agrifood transformation in Pacific” and live the dream of “For People | for Planet”

Pacific is happy to welcome all AgriFood enthusiasts, founders, thinkers, policymakers and impact organizations to zoom down the google map below 100 km and see what nature has given to these islands and what we can give back to communities here.

?More to learn… More to come….

???[email protected]

世界银行 | 联合国粮农组织 | Asian Development Bank (ADB) | International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) | Pacific Community-SPC | 联合国开发计划署 | USAID | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | CGIAR | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India | ICAR- Indian Council of Agricultural Research | Startup India | Australian Aid | Absolute