COVID-19 SURVEY REPORT

MAY 2020

ContentsBackground .................................................................................................................................................. 3

Response Rate ............................................................................................................................................ 5

Findings ......................................................................................................................................................... 6

Recommendations .................................................................................................................................. 12

Figures:

Figure 1: Survey Response by Country ......................................................................................... 5

Figure 2 : Survey Response by Gender .......................................................................................... 5

Figure 3 : Survey Response by Age ................................................................................................. 5

Figure 4 : Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on farms and business .................................. 7

Figure 5 : Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on markets ......................................................... 7

Figure 6 : Markets target ..................................................................................................................... 7

Figure 7 : Ways of addressing the impacts of COVID-19 crisis ............................................ 8

Figure 8 : Currently receiving or planning to receive any assistance .............................. 8

Figure 9 : Does any current available assistance threaten your organic status ......... 8

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Background The Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) is a not for profit membership organisation with active members (farmer associations, farmer support organisations, NGOs, the private sector, and research institutions) working with Pacific Island region governments and countries. The POETCom Secretariat is hosted by the Land Resources Division of the Pacific Community (SPC) in Suva, Fiji. POETCom sees organics and ethical trade as key contributors to sustaining our cultures and communities and improving farmer livelihoods, people’s health and the environment in the Pacific. POETCom serves as a unified voice for the organic and ethical trade movement in the region. It provides coordination, information sharing, networking, and capacity development programmes, and has established a regional certification scheme to support market access and trade.

To better understand the impact of the COVID-191 crisis on its members, supporters and partners, POETCom sent out a survey on 4 May 2020. The survey findings helped develop recommendations for short-term interventions aimed at coping with COVID-19 and mitigating its impacts. Key recommendations are presented at the end of this report. They have been developed in line with the POETCom Strategy Plan 2020-2025 key impact areas that provide the organization’s overarching and sustainable framework (BOX 1).

The COVID-19 outbreak started in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in early December 2019. It was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020. A pandemic declaration signifies widespread outbreaks affecting multiple world regions. As of the end of June 2020, 6 PICT (Pacific Island Countries and Territories) countries – Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam and New Caledonia – reported 399 cases and 7 deaths. In the same time, more than 10 million cases and 500,000 deaths were reported worldwide, with a 4.9 percent case fatality proportion. Beyond the health risks, COVID-19 continues to affect global economies, resulting in lower trade and investments, a slump in demand for goods and services due to lock-downs, and continental supply shocks affecting domestic and international trade.

The measures National Governments have implemented to contain the virus and protect their people range from hygiene promotion and physical distancing to complete lock-down. These measures have resulted in supply chain and market disruption. POETCom conducted the online survey to gather information from members, supporters and partners regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their agricultural activities, to identify immediate needs resulting from the pandemic, and to gather baseline information in order to build long-term strategies that address these challenges.

The survey used the Office Forms platform and was open from 4 – 22 May 2020. POETCom acknowledges and thanks all participants for their survey responses and confidence in POETCom to use their feedback to develop its COVID-19 response. Findings are presented below.

1 COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease.

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Box 1: POETCom Strategic Plan 2020-2025Impact areas and outcomes

1 Organic and Ethical Systems Advocacy

Collaborative efforts and partnerships with Governments and Civil Society Organizations mainstream organic agriculture, ensuring it is widely recognized and adopted as a solution to the region’s many challenges.

2 Organic Production Systems

Sustainable Pacific organic production systems are developed to meet market demands, as well as provide food and nutritional security for all.

3 Organic Value Chain Development

Organic value chains are expanded to achieve sustainable impacts (economic, social, environmental) and enhance the socio-economic status of all Pacific peoples.

4 Capacity Building

Members are supported to enhance skills, resources and governance so that they can effectively support organic sector development in their countries and communities.

5 Pacific Organic Guarantee System and POETCom Governance

The Pacific Organic Guarantee system and its member objectives is supported through exemplary management to ensure its integrity, bolstering producer and buyer confidence.

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Response Rate The survey was distributed to 117 individuals and organisations (47 members and 70 non-members). The response rate was 42 percent (51 percent of the responses were received from members, while 49 percent was from non-members). The majority of participants were from Fiji, (Figure 1), with men making up the majority of respondents by gender (Figure 2) and the largest percentage of respondents by age were over 50 years (Figure 3).

The main products and services these individuals and businesses cultivate include root crops, a variety of fruits and vegetables, honey, handicrafts, livestock, tamanu oil, vanilla, charcoal, compost, coconut, sea salt, coffee, virgin coconut oil, fertilizer, microgreens, massage oils, bee products, noni, flowers, information services, brokerage services and organic trainings and certifications. The majority of respondents target domestic markets, including local markets, supermarkets, restaurants, school cafeterias, hotels and resorts. Export markets are being targeting by 42.9 percent of respondents (Figure 6). Men and women producers are targeting similar markets.

Figure 1: Survey Response by Country

Figure 2 : Survey Response by Gender Figure 3 : Survey Responses by Age

42.9 %

54.3 %

41.3 %

4.3 %22.4 % 14.3 %

20.4 %

Under 35 yearsWomen 35 - 50 yearsMen Over 50 yearsOthers Unknown

2.0 %

2.0 %

2.0 %14.3 %

2.0 %

2.0 %

2.0 %

2.0 %6.1 %

34.7 %

8.2 %

6.1 %

4.1 %

4.1 %

4.1 %

0.0 %0.0 %

Other

Wallis & Futuna

TongaVanuatu

Samoa

Niue

Kiribati

AustraliaCook Islands

Fiji

Palau

New Caledonia

Solomon Islands

New Zealand

Marshall Islands

4.1 %French Polynesia

PNGFSM

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Findings Survey findings revealed that farmers are currently having difficulty accessing markets. Village-level income sources are being lost due to increasing unemployment among community members, especially in Fiji. Inter-island supply chain logistics have been significantly affected during the lock down period, and some farmers are unable to access inputs. Domestic sales have dropped dramatically due to the lack of tourists while regional and international sales have diminished due to border closures. Respondents also noted that even though auditors cannot travel, accreditors insist on continued surveillance. The main causes of farmers not being able to access their farms were travel restrictions (including inter-island travel), lock-downs, and government recommendations to stay at home. There has been, however, an increase in demand for organic approved products as people are now more attuned to the importance of agriculture and are turning to gardening (at least for home consumption).

Survey findings show similar trends in female and male respondents. However, it should be noted that the majority of participants responded on behalf of organizations. This could have partly overshadowed responses at the individual level that are more likely to reveal gender differences.

Impacts of COVID19 pandemic on farms, businesses and markets

To understand farmers’ current conditions, POETCom asked them how COVID-19 has impacted their farming activities, businesses and markets.

Production

The proportion of respondents that have been affected is 71.4 percent, with the largest percentage (32.7) noting that they are unable to access inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, and tools. A further 18.4 percent noted that farm hands cannot get to the farms, while 14.3 percent cannot get to their own farms. Those unable to process and package products was 18.4 percent. Only 28.6 percent of farmers and businesses noted that there has been no impact yet on their farms and products (Figure 4).

Sales and markets

The proportion of respondents that claimed their markets and/or sales have been affected is 83.7 percent, with only 16.3 percent noting no impact on markets or sales. The proportion of respondents that noted that there has been a decrease in sales due to restrictions and lack of demand is 38.8 percent. Many farmers (32.7 percent) also noted that they cannot get produce to markets due to restrictions, and that their sales have decreased due to people not having enough money to buy produce or products (26.5 percent). Another 10.2 percent noted that sales decreased due to oversupply (Figure 5).

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28.57 %

16.33 %18.37 %

32.65 %

18.37 %

12.24 %

4.08 %6.12 %

There has beenno impact onmy farm orproduction

I can’t get to myfarm

Farm hands (labour) can’t

get to the farm

Unable to accessinputs (seeds,

fertilisers, tools)

Unable toprocess/package

my products

Drop in orders Increase indemand for

inputs as peopleturn to planting

Unable to getauditors to the

farm

16.33 %

32.65 %

22.45 %

38.78 %

38.78 %

10.20 %

26.53 %

14.29 %

2.04 %

2.04 %

2.04 %

6.12 %

There has been no impact on my market or sales

There are restrictions so I can’t get my produce/products to the market

There are restrictions on transportation so I can’t exportproduce/products

There are restrictions so people don’t come to the markets tobuy produce/products

There is a decrease in sales due to lack of demand

There is a decrease in price due to over supply

There is a decrease in sales due to people don’t have the moneyto buy products/ produce

There is an increase in local sales/demand

Many people in country are hesitant to spend money due touncertainities of the future

No travel meaning no international expertise

Shortage of some products due to international travel restrictions

Other (mainly related to tourism sector) , supply chain affected

28.57 %

16.33 %18.37 %

32.65 %

18.37 %

12.24 %

4.08 %6.12 %

There has beenno impact onmy farm orproduction

I can’t get to myfarm

Farm hands (labour) can’t

get to the farm

Unable to accessinputs (seeds,

fertilisers, tools)

Unable toprocess/package

my products

Drop in orders Increase indemand for

inputs as peopleturn to planting

Unable to getauditors to the

farm

16.33 %

32.65 %

22.45 %

38.78 %

38.78 %

10.20 %

26.53 %

14.29 %

2.04 %

2.04 %

2.04 %

6.12 %

There has been no impact on my market or sales

There are restrictions so I can’t get my produce/products to the market

There are restrictions on transportation so I can’t exportproduce/products

There are restrictions so people don’t come to the markets tobuy produce/products

There is a decrease in sales due to lack of demand

There is a decrease in price due to over supply

There is a decrease in sales due to people don’t have the moneyto buy products/ produce

There is an increase in local sales/demand

Many people in country are hesitant to spend money due touncertainities of the future

No travel meaning no international expertise

Shortage of some products due to international travel restrictions

Other (mainly related to tourism sector) , supply chain affected

42.86%

63.27%

32.65%

40.82%

Export market

Local markets (domestic market)

Supermarkets (domestic market)

Restaurants (domestic market)

Figure 4 : Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on farms and business

Figure 5 : Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on markets

Figure 6 : Markets target (%)

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Coping Strategies

POETCom asked members and stakeholders about how they are addressing COVID-19 crisis impacts. This helped to map out existing avenues and strategies, as well as to identify gaps and potential needed support.

Adjusting priorities

Many of the respondents (32.3 percent) are now finding new markets, planting sub crops (30.6 percent) and preserving food for future sale (24.5 percent). The proportion of respondents utilising unconventional markets (mainly the barter system) was 16.3 percent, while 8.2 percent are getting help from NGOs, schools and religious institutes. Three farmers noted that they are reducing produce prices to attract local customers and recover as many costs as possible. Two respondents also noted that they are now sharing knowledge on organics and providing training opportunities as people have time to learn.

32.65%

16.33%

8.16%

32.65%

26.53%

4.08%6.12% 6.12%

4.08%

Finding newmarkets

Utilisingunconventional

markets(barter system)

Getting helpfrom NGOs,schools and

religiousinstitutions

Planting sub-crops

Preservingfood for future

sale

Sharingknowledge aspeople nowhave time to

learn

Droppingprices

Diversifying inother value

addedproducts

Other(promotion oflocal delivery

service, takingphone orders)

Figure 7 : Ways of addressing the impacts of COVID-19 crisis

Getting assistance

The proportion of respondents that noted they are currently receiving or planning to receive some form of assistance as noted above is at 40 percent. The majority of assistance cited is from governments, either in the form of grants, seeds or planting materials/equipment and technical trainings. Respondents were hopeful that several different proposals currently under development will get funded (Figure 8).

A further 11.9 percent of respondents noted that the current available assistance threatens organic production (Figure 9). This was mainly due to non-organic inputs (including seeds and weedkillers) that have been distributed by the Ministries of Agriculture.

40%

60%

No

Yes

11.9%

88.10

No

Yes

Figure 8 : Currently receiving or planning to receive any assistance

Figure 9 : Does any current available assistance threaten your organic status

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Government

Government is providing backyard garden seeds, superannuation, loan payment deferrals, subsidies, loans, cash grants, free seedings, trees and pruning services, a platform for connecting producers and consumers, financial support, compensation for loss of turnover, assistance for employees and economic stimulus packages. (63% of respondents noted the availability of some form of assistance from the Government, 37% noted none).

Extended family

The proportion of extended families available for assistance was 24%. This includes providing shared produce, shared labour on farms, support groups, a barter system and financial support.

Religious Institutions

The proportion of respondents that noted availability of assistance from religious groups was 10%. This included prayer and support groups. One religious group went online to offer spiritual guidance.

Family abroad

Only 4% of respondents noted availability of assistance from family abroad (mainly financial support).

Others

The only other assistance available was from donor agencies that were offering small grants to address the crisis.

Community

Community – A few communities are providing peer support, sharing of planting materials and seedlings, labour, and support groups. The proportion of respondents that noted availability of some form of assistance from communities was 61%.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) – Some NGOs are providing backyard gardening seeds, equipment and materials, and nurseries. They are also exploring ways to continue certified farmer and processor surveillance, advise and provide grants, as well as connect networks and support systems. The proportion of respondents that noted availability of some form of assistance from NGOs was 27%.

Assistance source and type

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Suggestions to strengthen sustainable farming in preparation for emergency situations

Participants were asked to provide suggestions on how to strengthen sustainable farming in preparation for emergency situations. The majority of responses centred around developing sustainable seed supply systems (mostly suggested by women), crop diversification and information sharing and preparedness.

Respondents suggested the following:

Production

• Promote local traditional crops and domestic value chains.

• Plant a variety of crops, fruits and vegetables for a sustainable supply.

• Build proper farm drainage systems.

• Maintain soil fertility.

• Increase the number of supplier farms for a diverse range of foods.

• Compost to develop local input production.

• Sensitize people to build their own immune system in farming through eating and living organically.

• Develop and structure value chains.

• Incorporate an inter-cropping regime into all agriculture in emergency zones.

• Cultivate a garden to grow fruit and vegetables primarily for home use, with excess sold or bartered in exchange for items that cannot be produced on the farm.

• Promote organic and traditional farming to all farmers to enable continuity and sustainability.

Storage and value addition

• Increase inventory and reserve stock of value-added goods.

• Increase local crop shelf-life and store crops in emergency evacuation centres that communities can access during disasters.

• Set up a contingency backup plan that includes simple tools, seedlings, etc.

• Develop a seed bank.

• Improve processing and marketing.

• Store seeds to prevent running short in emergency situations.

• Make compost from resources around the farm.

Knowledge sharing

• Disseminate information on how to mitigate damage to certain crops, local seeds and input supply.

• Utilize more support groups that provide frequent follow up visits.

• Start a reliable farmer network to support and provide food for families and communities.

• Strengthen ICT networks.

• Continue training and information sharing.

• Build model farms with multiple crops and income streams, growing short, medium and long-term crops with rotations, cover crops, etc.

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Recommendations1. Strengthen the Importance of local food systems

The COVID-19 crisis has clearly demonstrated the importance of local food systems in the Pacific Countries for mitigating unsustainable dependency on imported agricultural inputs, as well as encouraging increased consumption of locally grown healthy food.

Local farming systems need to emphasize diverse mixed cropping systems that are resilient to major disruptions. Sourcing and distribution of local food crops and planting materials should become a high priority. Organic farmers should develop certified organic vegetative propagated planting materials and open pollinated seed varieties through the establishment of organic nurseries and gene banks.

2. Source, evaluate and make available organic compliant inputs

Historically, after a natural disaster and in times of crisis, Governments and development partners mobilize quickly to import and distribute agricultural inputs, including synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. Organic farmers are prohibited from using many of these inputs, as they can potentially jeopardise organic status and market access. The pandemic presents POETCom with an opportunity to collaborate with local agriculture input suppliers to identify, source, evaluate and make available organic compliant inputs. Building partnerships with existing suppliers in each country is key to this, in addition to Ministry of Agriculture and relevant authority approval. The long-term impact of this activity is organic compliant, environmentally friendly and effective inputs.

3. Focus  on value added products, product diversification and import substitution  

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an opportunity to identify and support private sector partners willing to join the certified organic value chain. Enhanced processing of organic farm products generates additional revenue and employment in the home country, increases perishable commodity shelf life, diversifies products, and can lessen import substitution. When import transportation is disrupted in the future, high value, shelf stable alternatives will play an important role in reorienting value chains to domestic and alternative markets.

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4. Use online platforms to share knowledge and training, and as a virtual marketplace for selling and buying produce

Social media platform acceptance and understanding has increased as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. Organic Farmers have rapidly accepted these platforms for knowledge sharing and communications. POETCom can quickly adapt to virtual organic training and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification management. It will need to partner with proven cost-effective service providers for modification and delivery of PGS and organic farming trainings, as well as for value chain and marketing assistance.

5. Re-engaging the idled workforce

The loss of tourism and subsequent small business closings have resulted in record high unemployment. Institutions, organizations and government are highlighting agriculture as a viable employment alternative. POETCom needs to be prepared to hold organic and sustainable agriculture trainings for both commercial and backyard scale production, either to complement partner efforts or by itself. Self-sufficient techniques training, such as seed-saving and homemade pest management preparations, must be emphasized.

6. Support National Government farmer assistance

National Governments need to be supported for the creation of sustainable solutions that align with organic principles and that do not jeopardise organic farmer status. The survey findings reveal that farmers are unaware of what assistance is available. POETCom is in an advantageous position to be a conduit between the programs and their targeted users.

7. Strengthen POETCom membership

The post-COVID surge in interest in agriculture and gardening offers an opportunity to build and strengthen PGS and community peer support group management. POETCom can inform members that need financial assistance what is available and how to apply for it. The POETCom Secretariat can provide remote assistance and monitoring, and guide skills and capacity development that help ensure effective and resilient long-term responses.

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