FIJI SPICE GROWERS ASSOCIATION

Spices are considered to be high-value and low-volume crops. Because of this, spices are considered to be an important group of horticultural crops. Possession of spices was considered royal. The demand for spices and spice production is increasing dramatically due to its uses in pharmaceuticals, confectionery, culinary, beverages, aroma therapy, and perfume industries. Every household today uses one or more than two spices in their kitchen.
Spices are important for every culture. Whilst 50 different spices and spice products are used locally, only a few spices are grown locally on a small scale.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recognizes 108 plants as spice crops.

Spices are classified in many ways like tropical and temperate spices, tree spices, herbal spices, seed spices, rhizomatous spices, annuals, and perennials.
A strong domestic market for spices does exist here in Fiji. A survey on the local consumption of spice was conducted. The result shows that in general, Fiji Indians use more spices and less Europeans, while others use moderate levels. Fresh ginger is mostly consumed by Fijian families followed by Fiji-Indian families. The maximum quantity of spice used was onion, followed by garlic per month. Other spices consumed locally are ginger, green chilli, corriander leaf, dry turmeric powder, masala powder, mustard seed, tamarind, cumin seed, fresh turmeric, and fenugreek seed. Fiji does have an ideal climate for many spices plants to grow. The advantage of spices crops is that they can fit into several cropping systems and is suitable for climate resilience and crop diversification in Fiji.

The Fiji Spice Growers Association was formed in 2019 by the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council. The FSGA was officially registered on the 25th of May 2020 with the Registrar of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations to represent the spice farmers around Fiji, especially the youths and women who have a passion for venturing into spice growing and production to: –
• Assist in ensuring the improvement of supply, quality, and cost of spices and spice products;
• Be in compliance with the governance and policies binding the association;
• Be in compliance with trade and biosecurity policies;
• Establish a legal framework enabling farmers to access aid funding to advance their business;
• Negotiate all matters relating to the market of the Fiji Spice Growers Association;
• Promote, protect, and maintain just and proper treatment of members in all aspects of the Fiji Spice Growers Association;

• Promote the best environmental practices for each spice commodity;
• Represent the interest of the members of the Fiji Spice Growers Association; and
• Take into consideration the development of technical innovation for each spice commodity.

Our Vision
Alleviating poverty and improving livelihood through spice production.

Our Mission
To diversify into spice as a primary crop and its promotion through skills and knowledge
empowerment, and venturing into new markets.

Our Values

• Trust and fairness.
• Preserving the environment.
• Innovation.
• Add value.
• Quality & quantity.

Achievements so far

✓ Assist/co-facilitate in training and workshops for farmers and MOA officials;
✓ Supplying vanilla seeds to MOA and other farmers;
✓ Establishment of a great network amongst farmers and buyers (market);
✓ Conducted visits to vanilla farmers;
✓ Assisting vanilla farmers in securing overseas markets; and
✓ Registration of the association to the Ministry of Labour.

Objectives:
✓ To increase production for local and export markets;
✓ To empower farmers on the techniques of spice production and other capacity- building programs;
✓ To be inclusive in every way;
✓ To increase the number of members;
✓ To strengthen networking amongst the members;

✓ To venture into climate-smart agricultural techniques, sustainable land management (SLM) practices, organic farming, and organic certification;
✓ To improve livelihood, alleviate poverty, and enhance food and nutrition security;
✓ To be in compliance with the governance and policies binding the association;
✓ To be in compliance with trade, marketing, and biosecurity policies;
✓ To provide quality seeds and seedlings.
✓ To secure fixed markets for all the members.

Strategies:
• Registration of members during farm visits, training, and workshops;
• Provide technical and advisory support services to the satisfaction of the members;
• Conducting awareness programs;
• Compliance with the governance and policies associated with the association.
• Provide quality seeds and seedlings to the present and new farmers.
• Be mindful of gender equality and be inclusive at all times.
• Seek technical assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture in climate-smart agricultural techniques, sustainable land management (SLM) practices, organic farming, and organic certification.
• Seek assistance from the government or Ministry of Agriculture in securing fixed markets locally and overseas.

Action
• Continue with the registration of new spice farmers as members of the FSGA.
• Conduct awareness and advocacy programs for the present and new members;
• Conduct awareness of the governance and policies of the association.
• Encourage gender equality and enhance inclusiveness.
• Organize members with the provision of quality seeds and seedlings for new spice farmers.
• Organize technical training and workshops to empower and upskill the members on issues like climate-smart agricultural techniques, Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices, organic farming, and organic certification.
• Organize technical and financial literacy workshops and training to empower and upskill the members.
• Empowering members through quality advisory support services.
• Have meetings with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and other government ministries in finding/securing fixed markets.
• Empowering members with compliance to trade and marketing policies, and biosecurity policies for the members.

Membership
The membership is open to any person who is currently planting spice plants and those farmers who are interested in cultivating spice plants.
The entrance fee for members of the Association shall be $10.00 and the subscription shall be $10.00 annually. The entrance fee and the subscription fee are non-refundable.

Members who are more than thirteen (13) weeks in arrears of subscription shall not be entitled to any Association benefits, nor will they be permitted to vote at any Association’s meeting. Members whose subscriptions are more than thirteen (13) weeks in arrears shall cease to be a member of the Association.
All intending new members have to apply by paying the Entry and Subscription fee and filling out the FCLC Registration Form. The Registration Form can be obtained online or from the FCLC Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Level 2 Hugh Robinson Complex, Grantham Road, Raiwaqa, Suva.