Nowhere in the world is climate change more acutely perceived as here in the Blue Pacific.
In Vanuatu, trees have long been integrated into the agriculturally productive landscape. They have multiple uses, many of which cultural, and are used as boundary markers.
The integration of cultivated land with original forests that provide food, construction wood and traditional medicines, is a practice passed down for generations on the island of Tanna. This farming method is now encouraged throughout the planet with a view to food security and the pressing need to build resilience to climate change.
Our farmers are encouraged to fully utilize the bountiful natural resources that are freely available in a “permaculture” type manner, whilst protecting the environment by not planting mono-cultures. They grow many different species of plants on their small blocks in between rows of coffee trees, all of which are grown organically.
Following a devastating cyclone in 2015, the Company rolled up its sleeves and invested into a uniquely empowering redevelopment process, by initially planting 250,000 coffee trees and incorporating a comprehensive and inclusive short, medium and long term inter-cropping regime of highly nutritious cash crops for consumption and sale. In addition, high value essential oil trees and plant seedlings were allocated to farmers for planting amongst their newly planted coffee trees. The integration of vetiver and sandalwood in particular, provide both short and long term security, whilst acting as vital windbreaks, soil improvers and soil protectors. The bio-diversity below the ground helps the soil to flourish.
