A social business connecting local farmers to markets has won the Commonweath Secretary-General Innovation for Sustainable Development Award.

A virtual ceremony was held yesterday to commemorate the event.

Agriculture Connect Pte Limited, trading as Aggie Global, works with local farmers to provide fresh produce to businesses and individuals to create a food supply chain empowering Fijian producers to help grow Fiji’s economy.

Aggie Global was selected as the winners for the Prosperity category.

The Journey
Passionate about making a positive social change, company founders and directors Lisa Paisley and Zoe Paisley moved to Fiji from Australia in 2018.

Lisa Paisley said in the first 12 months since their move, they visited and interviewed 100 farmers around Fiji to understand the agricultural context and opportunity for support.

“By talking and engaging these farmers, we could see the potential Fiji had to grow their agriculture sector and become self-sufficient,” she said.

“We started with workshops and consultancy programmes, but because we were trying to work with low income farmers, it was difficult for us to earn a living and sustain the business.”

As such, Ms Paisley said in 2019, they built their e-commerce website where connected farmers could sell their produce online.

More than 100 farmers from all around the country are currently engaged with Aggie Global.

The Website
Aggie Global Pty Limited sets up farmer profiles and lists their produce on its website.

Ms Lisa Paisley said any website visitor could order farmers’ products.

“Aggie will coordinate the delivery for farmers, such as food pick-up, payment, any extra packaging and delivery to customers.”

“We are also working to get our export license to help farmers start exporting their produce to countries like New Zealand,” she said.

She said Aggie Global looked forward to working closely with hotels once the international borders reopened.

Feedback: shreya.kumar@fijisun.com.fj