Agroforestry is an ancient farming method in Vanuatu, having been used for many years to grow crops alongside trees to bring the benefits from both food and forests. For Live & Learn Vanuatu, it is a core element of their nature-based agriculture program – which they are bringing to the remote island of Gaua.

The women-led farmer groups across Gaua are skilled and knowledgeable in growing food in their local conditions. But the remoteness of the communities makes it difficult to source equipment necessary to do agroforestry, which is being implemented on the island to boost food security, help the local ecosystems and build sustainable livelihoods.

‘Agroforestry has many benefits,’ says Oraka Simon, Agroforestry Senior Project Officer for Live & Learn Vanuatu. ‘It helps in creating natural forests again, improves soil healthy by bringing up nutrients from deep in the soil, and it increases the amount and types of food grown. People can harvest crops like sweet potatoes, then later enjoy fruits and nuts.

‘It’s a return to traditional gardening, where trees, nuts, fruits and crops all grow together in one place. Native birds visit, wild yams grow, and tree crops like nangai and navel provide food during tough times.’

This is a major focus of the Strengthening Nature-based Agriculture program, supported by the European Union, through which the Live & Learn Vanuatu team is working to provide equipment and training on agroforestry to communities like those on Gaua, as well as six communities on Efate.

Loaded with equipment including rotovators, chainsaws, fencing materials and vegetable seeds, the Vanuatu team took a 13-hour boat ride with the equipment from Santo to West Gaua, where they will help the Gauan communities of Bushman’s Bay, Quatagaveq, Ondar, Dolav, Doal, and Koro to each establish one-hectare agroforestry plots.

The local people were very welcoming and excited for the arrival of the Live & Learn team, reflecting their enthusiasm for the program.

‘The community members were amazed to see us arriving on their island,’ says Oraka. ‘The local environment is very remote in terms of communications, health facilities, and transportation services. Seeing their needs pushed the team to involve the communities of West Gaua in the project.’

As well as providing equipment, Live & Learn Vanuatu has given workshops on soil management and modern planting techniques to complement the traditional farming methods practiced on the island. These techniques and agroforestry plots will assist communities in growing diverse crops, including fruit, nuts and vegetables, while improving soil health and biodiversity.

With some farmer groups having already begun planting their agroforestry plots, having begun by propagating plants through a nursery and transplanting fruit trees, nut trees and local crops into their new plots. This work is already having an impact, including helping make agriculture much more inclusive.

‘[This has] motivated women in the community to show interest in continuing with the project…and has given the community members the strength and courage to empower youths and elders to engage more in agriculture,’ says Oraka.

‘The community members can enhance their knowledge on different methods and techniques of planting. The community has said that they like the methods of planting, because they only use their traditional ways, but the new methods are good in spacing out their crops.’

Despite challenges like land disputes and wild pigs posing obstacles for the implementation of the program, the enthusiasm of the communities on Gaua has helped ensure it moves ahead.

‘One unique value they have is their cooperation,’ says Oraka. ‘They work together as a community and listen to their community leaders carefully. Their effort to help with the project showed us they wanted a change in their communities.’

With the agroforestry plots underway, the harvested produce will eventually be sold, first to neighbouring communities and other villages in East Gaua. In the longer term, the communities will look to package their products before shipping them to larger markets in Port Vila and Luganville.

Particularly due to the focus on women and youth ownership over this project, it is hoped that it will bring about big improvements in not only food security, but also livelihoods and ecosystems.

‘This has helped the community to think seriously and act to improve their agricultural standard,’ Oraka says. ‘They want a good and clean environment and more food on the tables.’

The Strengthening Nature-based Agriculture program is funded by the European Union and implemented by Live & Learn Vanuatu.