There is evidence that the soil health in Taveuni, Fiji is deteriorating over time threatening livelihoods of taro producers. The present study was conducted to understand the soil nutrient management practices followed by taro farmers in Taveuni. The study revealed that the farmers in Taveuni use various organic and chemical fertilizers and various other soil fertility management practices such as mulching, crop rotation with legumes, yagona and agroforestry. The quantity of nitrogen, phosphorous and potash (NPK) applied to taro crop on different types of soils was meager. The study further revealed that there was imbalanced and insufficient use of chemical fertilizers and organic sources of soil nutrients. The main cause of low use of fertilizers was that the farmers in Taveuni do not know the fertility status of their farms as no soil testing was ever done and majority of them are also not fully aware of various low-cost organic methods of maintaining soil fertility of farms.

In the Pacific Island countries (PICs)

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The relative contributions of various work activities in the rural livelihood systems are not well understood. This study investigates roles of various work activities in the household income and employment in coastal areas of Fiji. Data were obtained by personal interview method from a random sample survey 48 households from four coastal villages in Fiji. Study revealed that workers in the coastal areas have work opportunities for only 20 h per week against a 40 h work norm. About 76% of their total work time was devoted to sea-based resources (58% for seaweed harvesting and 18% for fishing). Coconut collection and handicraft activities accounted for 17 and 7 percent of their work time, respectively. Overall, average weekly income of workers was about FJ$110.The share of income from seaweeds was about 50% and the shares of income from fishing, coconut activities and handicrafts were 21.9, 20.5 and 8 percent, respectively. Hence, it is clear that although seaweed harvesting activity in the overall economy of Fiji is still at the subsistence level, but this activity plays a very critical and substantial role in the food and nutrition security of the coastal communities.

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