www.fao.org/about/meetings/second-international-agroecology-symposium Presentation on National Experiences - Food is life delivered in occasion of the Second International Symposium on Agroecology, held in Rome, Italy on 3-5 April 2018. © FAO: http://www.fao.org

1. Food is Life
Educating the Pacific about Agroecology
We see Agroecology as the harmonious
balance between people, their land and
natural environment to sustain healthy
food, water and agricultural systems for
a prosperous Pacific community.

2. Food is Life
WHAT WE DO
MISSION is to equip Pacific
Islanders with the skills and
knowledge to combat common
health, land and economic
challenges in the region.
METHOD We use training
workshops, cultural exchanges and
media education to encourage
indigenous peoples to become
their own agents of change.

3. Food is Life
 11-part DVD series films the food and
agriculture traditions of 30 local
communities throughout PNG.
 Hosted by indigenous food enthusiast
and TV personality, Jennifer Baing-
Waiko
 Reached over 1 million viewers and
high rating program on TV networks
in the Pacific Region
 Video series streamed online to
international audiences
 Educates mainstream audiences
ranging from families to cooks and
farmers to youth
TV series brand
Café New Guinea

4. Food is Life
 ICT materials: facilitator’s guide,
study booklet and video series
 Kit distributed to 300 high schools
throughout Papua New Guinea
 Conducted 30 peer education
workshops with stakeholders
nationwide
 Themes: Nutrition, Ecological
Stewardship, Land Protection,
Gardens for Health & Wealth,
Emergency Foods & Integrated
Agriculture
 300 graduates in ‘Food is Life’ course
teaching best practice in indigenous
agricultural and food pathways
Educational kit equips local communities

5. Food is Life
ISSUES
 Smallholder farming dominated
by commercial resource
development
 Poor health and nutrition ‘Hidden
Hunger’ syndrome
 Disintegration of traditional
agriculture in favour of store good
consumerism
 Lack of information, skills &
knowledge sharing opportunities
 High rates of lifestyle disease
related deaths
PROJECT FINDINGS
SOLUTIONS
 Build economic livelihoods
through sustainable Agroecology
 Indigenous knowledge transfer -
local problems local solutions
 media & video technology – wide
impact with minimal resources
 Distribution of ICT tool kits with
training workshops – cost
effective
 Local networks, lobby groups and
advocates to own ‘Food is Life’
concept and build Agroecology
movements

6. Food is Life
PACIFIC CAMPAIGN
Exploring Food & Agriculture In the Pacific
 Big need to replicate the PNG model
throughout the entire Pacific.
 SPNG working with regional partners
to implement project in Solomon
Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and New
Caledonia.
 Continues to increase knowledge
transfer and capacity building of local
farming communities.
 Builds peer group networks, local
champions and Agroecology education
in the region.
 Encourages mainstream audiences &
public opinion to support Agroecology
as a sustainable development model.