Agroecology is farming sustainably in harmony with nature. As our Pacific Island farmers know, it is a comprehensive approach that harmonises aspects of ecology, economics, and culture or tradition on their farms.
Since World War II farmers have increasingly become reliant on chemical inputs promoted heavily by Agro-industrial corporations and Universities. These chemicals have been proven to not only harm the soil and its ecosystem but also have long-lasting negative impacts on farmers and consumers. In a recent example, 60 countries, including Fiji and other Pacific Island nations, have banned the herbicide, Paraquat. Paraquat has been linked to the development of Parkinson's disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, childhood leukemia, and other health issues. The excessive use of chemical weedicides and herbicides, which are almost saturating soil ecosystems, will be a significant factor in the inability to regenerate soils in the Pacific region. When combined with the unpredictable weather in the region, including tropical cyclones and heavy rain, this has created a multi-layered set of challenges for farmers, the agriculture industry, and Pacific Island leaders.
