Pacific farmers rely more on farmer groups than governments, study finds

By Ron Rocky Coloma

Farmers in Fiji and Tonga are relying more on farmer-led organizations than government agencies as they adapt to climate change, according to new research conducted by the Pacific Farmers Organization in partnership with the University of Notre Dame.

The study, based on fieldwork with smallholder farmers in both countries, highlights the growing role of farmer organizations in providing practical support as climate pressures intensify across the Pacific.

Researchers surveyed 133 farmers in Fiji and Tonga and conducted focus group discussions in rural communities, along with interviews with government officials, donors and civil society groups. The research was carried out by four University of Notre Dame master’s students working directly with Pacific farmer organizations over an eight-week period.

Kyle Stice, executive director of the Pacific Farmers Organization, said the partnership emerged from international climate discussions but remained focused on local realities.

“Sometimes we are looking for big outcomes from global meetings, but often it’s these smaller partnerships that lead to meaningful results on the ground,” Stice said.

One of the study’s clearest findings was where farmers turn for advice and services. Nearly 69 percent of respondents reported relying on farmer organizations for support, compared with 24 percent who reported relying on government services.

Angela Birch, programs manager at the Pacific Farmers Organisation, said the results reflect what farmers consistently shared during community-level discussions.

“Smallholder farmers consistently reported high satisfaction with the support they received from farmer organizations compared to other service providers,” Birch said.

In the survey, 74 percent of farmers who sought advice from farmer organizations rated the support as very useful, while 25 percent described it as somewhat useful. Among farmers who sought government assistance, 40 percent rated it as very useful and 45 percent said it was somewhat useful.

One farmer described the difference during a focus group discussion: “The farmer organization is going everywhere, and they sit with farmers and they talk and share opinions.”

The findings also point to structural challenges facing government agricultural services in the Pacific. In some countries, extension officers are responsible for thousands of farmers, limiting regular contact and tailored support.

In Fiji, the Ministry of Agriculture has reported ratios as high as one extension officer for every 1,000 farmers.

Birch emphasized that the research does not position farmer organizations as a substitute for government services, but as essential partners.

“Government is still fundamental to supporting the development of agriculture,” she said.

The report recommends formal recognition of farmer organizations as co-delivery partners in climate adaptation programs, increased investment in their institutional capacity, improved coordination among governments and development partners and better alignment of programs with smallholder farmers’ needs.

It also calls for stronger farmer representation in climate policy discussions, noting that farmers want to be involved in designing adaptation strategies that affect their livelihoods and food security.

“We are living at the forefront of climate change,” said farmer representative Alan Petersen. “Our families’ survival depends on us adapting and becoming more resilient.”

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