About the Fiji Agriculture Rural Advisory Services [FAAS]
The Fiji Agriculture 2020 Policy Agenda (Agenda), with aims to establish a diversified, economically environmentally and sustainable economy in Fiji, articulated that agricultural extension is a building block for rural transformation, thus plays a pivotal role in fostering Modern Organized Agriculture for sustainable livelihoods, food and nutrition security and resilient communities in Fiji.
To support these policy directives, SPC jointly with SPC through funding support from IFAD supported a series of capacity needs assessments of agricultural extension and advisory services (AAS) and farmers over the past two years and identified recurrent weaknesses and challenges to AAS and farmers in Fiji.
As a result, in 2017, a wide range of stakeholders got together and agreed to establish Fiji Agricultural Advisory Services Network (FAAS) with the role to properly reinforce the proper role of AAS in rural development and further envisioned a new paradigm of AAS using the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) framework referred to as the “New Extensionist”.
FAAS GOVERNANCE
Elected from the regular members, FAAS is governed by a Steering Committee every two years. Re-election is possible for no more than two additional terms. The current Steering Committee are as follows:
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Chair: Ministry of Agriculture
Mr Jone Sovalawa
Deputy Secretary, Agricultural Development Division, Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). -
Vice-Chair: Fiji Crop and Livestock Council
Ms Jiu Daunivalu
Chief Executive Officer, Fiji Crop and Livestock Council (FCLC) -
Secretary: Ministry of Agriculture
Ms Kasanita Ratu
Principal Agriculture Officer, Headquarter - Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) -
Deputy Secretary: The Pacific Community
Ms Mary Rokonadravu
ICKM Adviser, The Pacific Community (SPC) -
Treasurer: Fiji Development Bank
Ms Setaita Tamanikaiyaroi
Manager, Enterprise Risk and Business Development, Fiji Development Bank (FDB) -
Assistant Treasurer: i-Taukei Affairs Board
Mr Jone Driu Drugunalevu
Manager Commercial Unit iTaukei Affairs Board (TAB)
FAAS Membership
FAAS Membership is open to national AAS providers and key stakeholders in Fiji. Other interested individuals, organizations’ and or networks may also become members of FAAS, as per approval of the Steering Body.
FAAS members are officially appointed by the head of the Ministry to guarantee the appointment and for consistency sake and for provision of replacements should the need arise. Members are categorized as regular or associate members.
Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability (CCES)
Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP)
Fisheries, Aquaculture & Marine Ecosystems (FAME)
Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division (GEM)
Public Health Division (PHD)
Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT)
Social Development Program (SDP)
Statistics for Development Division (SDD)
Special Projects