A sustainability study of the agricultural supply-chain between highland farm communities and the growing tourism industry in Fiji

Communities of indigenous Fijians made the decision generations ago to move into the remote
highlands of Viti Levu— Fiji’s largest island— with the sole intention of protecting themselves from
other fierce warring tribes. Today, this self-inflicted isolation does little more than promote the
hardships associated with poverty. Villagers who were once solely subsistence farmers now have
been forced to become commercial farmers to support their families, but struggle to access markets
with a high enough demand. With the tourism industry stronger than ever in the Republic of Fiji,
there are potential linkages to be made to support these forgotten highland communities. This study
will examine the sustainability of the agricultural supply-chain between highland farm communities
and Fiji’s growing tourism industry on the Suncoast region.