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OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
EWC Research Speaker Series
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. HST
Pacific Farmer Organisations: Responding to Climate Change, Food Security and NCDs
featuring
Mr. Kyle Stice, Executive Director, Pacific Farmer Organisations
According to the FAO, three-quarters of the Pacific population reside in rural areas, and agriculture constitutes the primary source of livelihood for the majority (70%+) of the entire Pacific Islands population. The Pacific Islands face formidable challenges across health, economics, and the environment. The conventional government-led development model is no longer adequate due to resource constraints and mounting issues. A fresh, alternative approach, involving farmer organizations as central development partners, has exhibited promise and now necessitates broader adoption.
To effectively address these challenges, farmer organizations must bolster their services and professionalism. Development partners must support this capacity-building and localization process. It is imperative for farmer organizations to broaden their outreach and refine their consultation methods to capture the voices of rural Pacific Islands communities. Concurrently, development partners must ensure that these grassroots entities play a meaningful role in shaping policies, crafting programs, and guiding interventions.
The shift from a government-centric to a partnership-based model, with an emphasis on grassroots organizations, is not only preferable but also proven and urgently needed. Strengthening grassroots capabilities and involving them in decision-making will cultivate a more resilient, sustainable, and customized approach to Pacific Island development.
Mr. Kyle Stice is the co-founder and Executive Director of Pacific Farmer Organisations - a regional farmer organization network with membership in 13 Pacific Island nations and a direct reach of 98,000 farmers. Kyle Stice has led rural development and climate change adaptation programs in the Pacific, working through farmer organizations, for the past 15 years in partnership with multiple global development partners.
The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect East-West Center policies or positions.
EWC Research Speaker Series
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. HST
Pacific Farmer Organisations: Responding to Climate Change, Food Security and NCDs
featuring
Mr. Kyle Stice, Executive Director, Pacific Farmer Organisations
According to the FAO, three-quarters of the Pacific population reside in rural areas, and agriculture constitutes the primary source of livelihood for the majority (70%+) of the entire Pacific Islands population. The Pacific Islands face formidable challenges across health, economics, and the environment. The conventional government-led development model is no longer adequate due to resource constraints and mounting issues. A fresh, alternative approach, involving farmer organizations as central development partners, has exhibited promise and now necessitates broader adoption.
To effectively address these challenges, farmer organizations must bolster their services and professionalism. Development partners must support this capacity-building and localization process. It is imperative for farmer organizations to broaden their outreach and refine their consultation methods to capture the voices of rural Pacific Islands communities. Concurrently, development partners must ensure that these grassroots entities play a meaningful role in shaping policies, crafting programs, and guiding interventions.
The shift from a government-centric to a partnership-based model, with an emphasis on grassroots organizations, is not only preferable but also proven and urgently needed. Strengthening grassroots capabilities and involving them in decision-making will cultivate a more resilient, sustainable, and customized approach to Pacific Island development.
Mr. Kyle Stice is the co-founder and Executive Director of Pacific Farmer Organisations - a regional farmer organization network with membership in 13 Pacific Island nations and a direct reach of 98,000 farmers. Kyle Stice has led rural development and climate change adaptation programs in the Pacific, working through farmer organizations, for the past 15 years in partnership with multiple global development partners.
The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect East-West Center policies or positions.
