There is enthusiasm for cut flowers in the main towns of most Pacific Island countries, but floriculture as an industry is very much in the developmental stage, and focuses on the local market. The primary aim of this project was to evaluate the market opportunities that exist for a thriving floriculture industry in two Pacific Island countries - Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The project also sought to identify the main constraints (for example, pests and diseases, limited skill levels, poor quality, limited packaging and storage technology) that would hinder the development of the floriculture industry in the two countries, and make recommendations to address the constraints.
Globally, horticulture (including floriculture) has become a lead sector for poverty reduction in developing countries. This, however, has not been the case for the Pacific Islands where horticultural and floricultural exports are miniscule.
While this scoping study specifically covered Fiji and PNG, much of the findings have relevance for the region as a whole. The economic contributions of the Fiji and PNG floriculture industries are small. However, in the case of Fiji the industry generates livelihoods for a significant number of people.
Fiji's comparative advantage in ornamental horticulture lies in supplying the domestic market. While the industry has made good progress in realising this opportunity with respect to the non-tourist domestic market, it has been less successful with respect to the tourism segment which offers the most growth potential. Niche export opportunities have been identified for specialty leaves and for indigenous orchids sold in compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This study recommended institutional reforms to facilitate the realisation of these opportunities.
Although PNG offers some outstanding agro-ecological conditions for cut flowers and foliage, in terms of export market development these advantages are more than offset by intractable marketing and other constraints. It is highly unlikely that PNG would be able to establish a cut-flower export industry comparable to those of East Africa and Central America. However, a worthwhile cut flower industry could be built around a significant expansion of the domestic market, supplemented by niche export of specialty products. PNG has the potential to establish a major commercial indigenous orchid industry exporting unique hybrid plants and expanding eco-tourism activities. This hinges on addressing regulatory and policy reforms pertaining to CITES.
A number of potential activities were identified for ACIAR/SPC involvement in the development of ornamental horticulture in the Pacific islands.
Fiji:
red ginger decline research
the development of a Gardeners Guide to Fiji's Native Plants
the development of a pilot 'Fiji Flowers' quality assurance and certification scheme
a review of Fiji's quarantine regulations and procedures relating to floriculture
the development of cost-effective quarantine treatments for ornamentals.
PNG:
policy development for minor forest products
an adult education program development for ornamental horticulture and floral art
technical advice on the establishment of a wholesale marketing system
a feasibility study for the re-development of the Lae National Botanical Gardens
industry organisation development.
A number of the recommended future activities are regional in nature. These are:
developing a policy framework for Melanesian countries to progress with the sustainable commercial development of non-timber forest products
a framework for indigenous orchid hybridisation
technical support for tertiary institutions in the development of ornamental horticulture skills.
Links:
[1] http://www.aciar.gov.au/country/Fiji
[2] http://www.aciar.gov.au/country/Papua New Guinea
[3] http://www.aciar.gov.au/programarea/Horticulture