The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity (MALFB), Hon. Ian Wilson, has called on farmers and stakeholders to prioritize increasing local production of small livestock and root crops before discussions on export can take place.

Speaking at the opening of the First National Commercial Commodity Forum in Luganville, Minister Wilson said Vanuatu continues to face major challenges when disasters strike, as the country relies heavily on imported relief supplies, particularly dry rations.

He noted that this reliance on imports contributes to poor nutrition and rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with 15% of people living with disabilities now linked to the NCD crisis.

“Vanuatu is not producing enough small livestock, root crops, cattle, or fish to support communities during disasters. Farmers need to step up, and government must support them,” he stressed.

While government policies have focused strongly on cattle, Minister Wilson emphasized the need to create clear strategies for pigs, chickens, goats and other small livestock, alongside root crops, to ensure sustainable food security and resilience.

The forum will review sectoral policies, set new strategies for the next five years before the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) lapses in 2030, and prepare a roadmap to be endorsed by the Council of Ministers. The strategies will also be presented to donors in January 2026 to align funding support with Vanuatu’s priorities rather than donor-driven agendas.

“Before, the main challenge in the productive sector was markets — but today the challenge is production. Farmers need government, and government needs farmers for a better Vanuatu,” Minister Wilson concluded.

The National Commercial Commodity Forum runs in Luganville from 1–10 October 2025 and will continue in Port Vila from 13–18 October 2025.