Journal article
Socio-ecological challenges and food security in the ‘salad bowl’ of Fiji, Sigatoka Valley
Regional environmental change, Vol.23(2), pp.1-11
05/04/2023
PMID: 37033698
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Abstract
This article examines food security in the Sigatoka Valley, one of the most productive food regions in Fiji, in the context of recent socio-ecological challenges through a case study of Narewa village. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews (n = 25), a fixed question food insecurity experience survey (n = 25), and a free listing exercise about preferred and consumed foods (n = 24). Results revealed that while most households had access to sufficient food, the increased frequency and intensity of droughts, tropical cyclones, and flooding caused almost half to worry about meeting their future food needs. To date, a culture of sharing within the village has helped most households access food but this will likely be inadequate to meet future needs as climate change is projected to impact food production. Given that the foundation of food production in Narewa, like other villages in the valley, relies on the long-term viability of agricultural systems, better focus needs to be placed on the natural resources that form the backbone of these systems such as water availability, soil health, and slope stability and their resilience to anthropogenic and natural stressors. Efforts that focus on protecting and enhancing local ecosystems in light of expected future climate change, combined with greater attention on food storage and the use of resilient crops, and enhancing social cohesion and sharing networks are needed to avoid breaching tipping points in the food system.
Details
- Title
- Socio-ecological challenges and food security in the ‘salad bowl’ of Fiji, Sigatoka Valley
- Creators
- Kerrie Pickering - University of the Sunshine CoastTristan Pearce - University of the Sunshine CoastLui Manuel - Nadroga-Navosa Provincial Council (Fiji)Brendan Doran - University of the Sunshine CoastTimothy F. Smith - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication Details
- Regional environmental change, Vol.23(2), pp.1-11
- Publisher
- Springer Berlin Heidelberg
- Grant note
- Open Access funding enabled and organized by CAUL and its Member Institutions The research was funded by the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship, University of the Sunshine Coast Research Scholarship, and the Canada Research Chairs Program (Pearce).
- Identifiers
- 991013386628702368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2023.
- Academic Unit
- Office of Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article