Vanuatu Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

10/08/2026

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

07/08/2026

07/08/2026

07/08/2026

A towering display made up of thousands of taro corms has become one of the standout attractions at the National Agriculture Expo 2026 on Maewo Island, not only for its size but for the cultural story it tells about the island’s origins and its deep connection to agriculture.

Read more: https://www.dailypost.vu/news/maewo-high-chief-shares-insight-into-giant-taro-tower-origin-story-and-million-vatu-harvest/article_42edb997-5ebe-519d-b542-8c9c61d965c9.html

05/08/2026

The Government is looking to establish stronger links between farmers, hotels and industries through formal supply agreements, with Agriculture Minister Ian Wilson saying farmers must know there is a market before investing in production.

Read more: https://www.dailypost.vu/news/push-for-farmer-hotel-contracts-to-secure-local-food-supply/article_c8be2dcd-3040-54ac-9727-d77213e5e749.html

05/08/2026

'Farm to Institution '

The Government plans to make schools, hospitals, correctional facilities and other public institutions major buyers of locally produced food as part of a new strategy to strengthen Vanuatu's agriculture sector and provide farmers with guaranteed markets.

Read more: https://www.dailypost.vu/news/government-to-turn-schools-hospitals-into-major-markets-for-local-farmers/article_f32a87d8-7608-59cd-b349-39f7abe3239e.html

05/08/2026

China and Vanuatu Signs MOU to Enhance Vegetable Farming Skills Through Training Initiative

The Governments of the People's Republic of China and Vanuatu have strengthened their agricultural cooperation with the 2026 Training Course on Vegetable Cultivation Technology in Vanuatu, a major capacity-building initiative aimed at improving vegetable production and enhancing food security across the country.

The training programme, commissioned by China's Ministry of Commerce and implemented by Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co., Ltd. (Longping High-Tech), will be conducted in Port Vila from September 14 to October 28, 2026.

The initiative has been developed in collaboration with Vanuatu's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity under the guidance of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Vanuatu.

A total of 70 participants, including government officers and agricultural technicians from across Vanuatu, will receive practical and technical training in modern vegetable cultivation techniques. The programme is expected to strengthen local expertise, improve farming productivity, and contribute to the country's long-term agricultural development.

During a planning meeting, representatives from both countries agreed on key responsibilities to ensure the successful implementation of the six-week course.

Under the agreement, the Chinese side will appoint a team of vegetable cultivation experts, cover international travel and living expenses for the experts, develop and translate training materials, and organize both the opening and closing ceremonies. China will also provide lunch for all participants throughout the training.

The Government of Vanuatu will coordinate participant selection, provide training venues, teaching equipment, demonstration plots for field practice, and transport for local trainees. It will also facilitate customs clearance for imported vegetable seeds and agricultural materials, arrange office facilities for the Chinese experts, and assist with immigration and residency procedures during the training period.

Officials from both countries described the training programme as another milestone in the growing agricultural partnership between China and Vanuatu. By combining technical expertise with practical field experience, the initiative is expected to equip local agricultural professionals with modern vegetable production skills that can be shared with farming communities throughout the country.

The programme reflects the shared commitment of both governments to promoting sustainable agriculture, strengthening food production, and improving livelihoods through international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

05/08/2026

New Fermentation Box to Boost Epi Cocoa Farmer's Growing Enterprise

Leading cocoa farmer and trader Joseph Merib of Green Hill, West Epi, is continuing to strengthen Epi Island's cocoa industry after shipping 20 tonnes of dried cocoa beans over the past six months to buyers in Port Vila and Luganville, with produce reaching both niche and bulk markets, including direct export opportunities overseas.

The achievement reflects the increasing volume of quality cocoa being produced on Epi Island and highlights the growing contribution of local farmers to Vanuatu's cocoa sector.

Mr. Merib has established a thriving cocoa aggregation business by purchasing fresh green cocoa beans from farmers across Epi Island, fermenting and drying the beans before supplying buyers in the country's main urban centres and export markets.

His initiative has created a dependable market for rural cocoa growers, enabling farmers to earn regular income without the burden of transporting their produce over long distances.

"This is an ongoing activity with the local farmers. The farmers are very happy to receive income at their doorsteps," Mr. Merib said.
The business has generated economic opportunities for farming families throughout the island while encouraging more communities to invest in cocoa production as a sustainable source of income.

A cocoa farmer himself, Mr. Merib manages four cocoa plots. During each harvest season, he employs members of the surrounding communities to harvest cocoa pods and extract the beans before they undergo fermentation and drying.

"As a farmer myself, I have four cocoa plots occupying 11 hectares of land. I hire community labourers to harvest cocoa pods and collect beans from the pods," he said.

He explained that cocoa harvesting provides employment opportunities for a wide cross-section of the community.
"This is a very easy task to do. From primary school-aged children to older people, many are engaged in harvesting cocoa pods. Hired labourers are paid according to the quantity of beans they collect in a sack or bucket," Mr. Merib said.

The seasonal work has become an important source of household income, helping rural families meet school fees, daily living costs and other essential expenses.

In a further development to his cocoa enterprise, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) recently presented Mr. Merib with a newly designed cocoa cascade fermentation box developed by the Vanuatu Agriculture Research and Technical Centre (VARTC).

The handover took place during the Vermali Mini Agriculture and Trade Show held recently at Rovo Bay, where DARD recognised Mr. Merib's contribution to cocoa development on Epi Island.

The improved fermentation box is expected to enhance bean quality by providing more efficient and consistent fermentation, an essential step in producing premium cocoa for both domestic and international markets.

Mr. Merib welcomed the support, saying the new technology would significantly improve his processing capacity and help diversify his cocoa business.

"This assistance will greatly help me produce higher-quality cocoa beans and develop more cocoa products for display and sale at the next agriculture show at the Vermaul Area Council," he said.

DARD’s Cocoa Specialist, Geraldine Neirove says supporting active farmers such as Mr. Merib is an important strategy for increasing cocoa production, improving product quality and expanding income-generating opportunities for rural communities.

“As demand for premium Vanuatu cocoa continues to grow, initiatives that strengthen post-harvest processing and improve market access are expected to enhance the country's reputation in specialty cocoa markets while creating lasting economic benefits for farming communities across Epi Island.”