Northern growers join forces to boost high‑value vanilla sector

Farmers from Macuata and Cakaudrove converged in Savusavu this week with a shared mission, to strengthen the future of Fiji’s “green gold,” vanilla.

The two‑day Northern Vanilla Farmers Symposium brought growers together to exchange knowledge, refine cultivation techniques, and confront the challenges facing one of the world’s most precious spices.

Principal Agriculture Officer Northern, Sujendra Prasad, said the workshop aimed to drive sustainable farming practices while unlocking the crop’s vast economic potential.

“Vanilla is more than just a flavour. It is a story of patient cultivation, delicate pollination, and the dedication of communities across the globe,” Mr Prasad said.

He reminded participants that vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) remains the second most expensive spice in the world, a powerful incentive for farmers to innovate and collaborate.

From climate change impacts to market volatility, Mr Prasad encouraged farmers to view these pressures not as threats but as opportunities to build resilience.

“These are not obstacles, but opportunities for collaboration. By sharing knowledge and investing in resilient cultivation, we ensure vanilla’s future is as rich and enduring as its fragrance,” he said.

The symposium closed with a renewed call to action — blending science with tradition and passion with purpose — to safeguard and grow Fiji’s vanilla legacy for generations to come.