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Beautiful pearls in the Pacific

Global Food Studies researchers Mr Theo Simos, Mr Craig Johns, Professor Randy Stringer and Professor Wendy Umberger played a key role in Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (PARDI). The project was funded by The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

The ACIAR has been a long investor in the region and Global Food Studies has been privileged to be part of their work.

Theo’s work assisting smallholders in pearl industry in Fiji and Tonga was beautifully captured by this video. It’s all about contributing to the industry’s sustainability, economically and environmentally.

In addition to research, the project also included Mother-of-Pearl (MoP) training that empowered local communities especially the women. The training not only developed the women’s skills in processing MoP but also built their confidence. The big picture is to identify a sustainable business model and it is evident that women have potential to play a huge role in developing such a model.

In June 2015 the ACIAR hosted a two-day event marking the completion of the first phase of its Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (PARDI). The market day was an interactive event not only showcasing the project results but also the team’s passion for assisting the Pacific to develop their communities.

As rightly defined by Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Mritime Development and National Disaster Management Fiji Island on PARDI:

“We have seen the impact ….”

Congratulations to PARDI team on the completion of the first phase!

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