The countries of the western Pacific region are set apart from the rest of the world. Many are small and geographically isolated, have limited land mass and arable land, fragile natural environments and limited land-based agricultural resources. Increasingly, they are more vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change than many other regions of the world.

Each country in this region faces specific development and agricultural challenges that hamper economic growth, including small formal economies, long distances from major markets, high costs and rapidly growing populations. Governance and capacity constraints in some countries also limit their ability to deliver services. These challenges make it difficult to respond and recover from disasters and climate change effects, which are prominent in the region.

In 2022–23, the region grappled with challenges arising from a string of civil and natural disasters that included civil unrest and demonstrations in Solomon Islands, social and election-related tensions in Papua New Guinea, volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga, and flooding and landslides due to cyclones across several countries, including twin cyclones in Vanuatu. These events have ongoing impacts on local populations and influence the nature of development assistance programs.

Pacific island countries also face the consequences of the triple burden of malnutrition – a situation where undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and obesity coexist. Unhealthy diets, lifestyles and environment are key risk factors contributing to these non-communicable diseases.

The COVID-19 pandemic had devastating effects globally. For the past 3 years the Pacific region was affected by border closures and disruptions to supply chains, causing significant impacts on food security. Many countries have faced challenges in accessing food imports and agricultural inputs, leading to price increases and decreased availability of some products. Additionally, measures such as lockdowns and social distancing affected local food production and distribution, especially for small-scale farmers and fishers.

The Pacific region has reopened its borders; however, recovery from the pandemic is still in its early stages and the impacts remain prevalent and significant. The economy of the region has been impacted by unprecedented loss of tourism-related activities and the initial slowing of remittances. Concurrently, there is a deterioration of government finances and availability of public-sector funding.

In response to the pandemic, Pacific region countries adopted a variety of measures to address impacts, including economic stimulus packages, home gardening programs through seed distribution, farm support packages and backyard aquaculture farms. Cash transfers to the most vulnerable households were also implemented to augment loss of income.

Governments and non-government organisations in Pacific island countries continue to respond with policies and programs to support food security, such as increasing domestic production and distribution channels, food assistance programs for vulnerable populations, and facilitation of trade and transport of essential goods.

Agriculture and fresh produce have emerged as the foundation of the economy for the region and ensured food security for the population when the manufacturing sector, trade and services stalled. There is continued stress on the ability of food systems to deliver primary functions: providing food security and nutrition to growing populations; supporting livelihoods for farmers, fishers and workers along the agrifood chains; and supporting environmental sustainability and resilience.

The region continues to foster approaches with development partners to strengthen the agriculture and fisheries sectors and promote agritourism to enhance the region’s economy. This has included a resurgent appreciation of importance of local agriculture, expansion of small-scale gardening, improved measures of post-harvesting techniques and improving local technical expertise. The past 3 years have increased interest in, and support for, agriculture, fisheries and forestry; enthusiasm for innovation in food systems and value chains; and the creation of new domestic market opportunities. Regional leaders have emphasised the urgency of catalysing national food systems transformation in Pacific island countries by promoting sustainable agriculture practices and diversifying food systems to ensure food security and reduce dependence on imports.

Drivers of regional collaboration

While acknowledging the individual needs and unique research and development priorities of each partner country in the Pacific region, the scattered nature of the Pacific region nations and their small populations mean that many countries cannot address all their challenges and opportunities in agriculture alone.

The ACIAR program within the Pacific region has a strong focus on enabling regional collaboration, especially through our close relationship with the Pacific Community (SPC). SPC is the principal scientific and technical organisation supporting research for development in the region and plays a key role in communicating research outcomes of relevance across the region. Regional research programs and projects are implemented through agencies with regional capability (including SPC, the University of the South Pacific and CGIAR centres) and bilateral research and extension agencies.

Papua New Guinea is a significant partner within our Pacific region program. We have a specific strategy that highlights enabling collaboration with the entire Pacific region on issues of common interest.

Regional ACIAR program

Australia’s partnerships with the Pacific region were reaffirmed by the Australia Government in the 2023 release of Australia’s International Development Policy. The new policy focuses on strategically secure and economically stable support for the region and emphasises helping Australia’s neighbours tackle common challenges and finding solutions to improve people’s lives and livelihoods.

In 2023–24, ACIAR will continue to build on its long engagement with the Pacific region, through our regional office in Fiji. We will strengthen partnerships with Pacific island countries and Papua New Guinea, and actively pursue opportunities and models that align with the research-for-development plans and priorities of partner countries.

As the Pacific region enters the post-pandemic period – a new normal – ACIAR is developing medium-term priorities under a new 10-year regional strategy, through consultation with national government partners and regional research and development agencies. We will focus our efforts on supporting the rebuilding of the agriculture sector and re-engaging with partners. ACIAR will continue to actively engage with regional strategic platforms such as the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry, among others. These events enable ACIAR to meet with and listen to Pacific partners, discuss the region’s priorities and plans, and identify where research can contribute to a more resilient, sustainable and food-secure region.

ACIAR continues to support the alumni of its capacity-building programs and fellowships to work hand-in-hand with Australian and international researchers, to provide insights into building the resilience of local food security against external shocks and identify strategies to ensure future food security of the Pacific region. Post-pandemic, we are supporting research that responds to the biosecurity and health threats to communities, such as One Health (the interface between human, animal and environmental health), pest and disease management, understanding food environment and links to agriculture, and improving resilience in food value chains, both within partner countries and between Australia and partner countries.

A key future focus of our program in the Pacific region will be enabling regional collaboration in research and capacity building to address common issues and opportunities. This regional approach includes projects addressing biosecurity, climate-resilient livelihoods, opportunities for stronger agribusiness development, community-based fisheries management, integrated food systems and nutrition.

Current regional projects and linked programs include:

• fisheries (pathways to change in Pacific coastal fisheries)
• forestry (domestication and breeding of sandalwood, agroforestry and catchment rehabilitation)
• crops (sweetpotato, coconut, protected cropping systems and tropical fruits)
• soil health and management
• food systems and nutrition (food loss).

Current and proposed projects in the Pacific region, 2023–24