hmmmm ... distribution of seeds...not all it seems... everybody's doin it :)

Port Vila fresh food market, a source
of food for suburbanites, and a source
of income for the many rural families.

Our initial thoughts were that we would send seeds far and wide across Vanuatu so that the NiVanuatu could start feeding themselves and selling their excess produce. So we set about doing more research when we arrived back in Vanuatu (post wedding) and realised that there was already a significant amount of donated seeds ready to be distributed in the worst affected areas.

...and then we were asked if we could help out with the national distribution of donated seeds to priority areas (Tafea, Shefa & Penama Provinces) and a smaller distribution across Port Vila. Being involved in the process has informed and taught us a lot about what is needed here and what works, and where. So we spent two and a half weeks working with an amazing team from the Department of Agriculture to get the seeds out to where they were needed. A massive logistical undertaking!

Loads and loads of packets and bulk seeds.

A variety of Beans, Chinese Cabbage, English Cabbage, Sweet Corn,
Pumpkin, Cucumber, Watermelon, Tomato
Lettuce, Carrot,  Pawpaw, Courgette/Marrow etc etc  

Sorting out 650kgs of bulk seeds and more than 20,000 packets - phew!

In addition to the national distribution of seeds (tools are yet to be distributed - due to be done at the end of May), there are a number of donated seeds flowing into Vanuatu being distributed through various informal networks.

So while working on the national distribution Wayne was also growing seedlings to distribute where they are needed - but with the national seed distribution programme almost complete we came to realise that there was an immediate need in our neighbourhood - and across Port Vila the urban capital which was categorised as a lesser priority area but often relies on the outer islands for local food. So we are looking to see how we can help to address some gaps here in Port Vila.