Award-Winning Mudrenicagi Farm transforms into hub for organic agriculture training

Mudrenicagi Organic Farm in Bua, which won the Ministry of Agriculture’s Organic Farmer of the Year Award, has now transformed into a learning centre for local agriculture after launching training programmes for 50 smallholder farmers in Northern Fiji.

The Pacific Community says they are proudly celebrating the owners and SPC’s Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network Project’s Farm Advisors Karen and Arthur Mills.

Karen Mills says this award really isn’t an individual award, it’s an award that recognises the team effort on theirfamily-based farm.

She says receiving this award really validates the effort they have put into their farm journey and encourages them to continue working towards their vision of a successful, sustainable, regenerative organic farm and training centre.

SPC says the Mills have committed the last nine years to organic farming, integrating permaculture principles with local traditional practices.

They say the backbone of the Mudrenicagi farm is a 25-acre coconut polyculture food forest.

SPC says the three to six-year-old coconut trees are planted on contour and intercropped with pineapple, banana, vudi, citrus, noni, various fruit trees, cassava, taro, kumala, yaqona, breadfruit, yasi, and a small trial of coffee and cacao. Additionally, 200 new vanilla vines have been planted on Gliricidia host trees within the coconut system.

They say the farm also hosts 40 beehives and operates a small poultry farm with 300 laying hens, producing around 260 eggs daily. The hens are kept in secure night shelters and have access to large outdoor runs during the day.

SPC says Karen and Arthur’s journey in organic farming has yielded remarkable results, contributing to the health of their soil, the vitality of their crops, and their family’s well-being.

They add by focusing on organic practices, they are actively helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change while ensuring food security for their rural community.

Project Country Coordinator Emosi Cagi says the Mills are transforming farming in Northern Fiji.

He says as trainers and mentors, they equip smallholder farmers with vital skills for a changing climate.

Cagi says their leadership is essential; we need more advocates for organic agriculture that prioritises health of Fijian soil and economic resilience.