In June this year the school(CICIA HIGH SCHOOL) hosted officers from the Secretariat of the pacific community (SPC) led by Steve Hazleman,PGS Consulatant from POETCom(Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Comunity)Christopher May and Mrs Mere Salusalu the Principal Agriculture Officer-Eastern.
They had for the signficant breakthrouh of Cicia being declared sa an organic islandThe concept of Cicia being declared organic had been floated around since 1986 when discussions around the "tanoa" led by Epeli Draunidalo centered around the need to reflect on the call by the Prophet Daniel for humanity to constantly draw from the gift of nature.
The idea developed and materialised in 2006 when the Tikina Council formally placed a ban on chemicals and non organic material and manure.With state support from Mrs Salusalu,Cicia has been transformed with the retention if traditional farming methods and practices.
With the declaration in place,the island is now focusing on the formal certification phase due to be completed in a few months time.Following the declaration with and by the leaders and people of Cicia, an interim committee was set up known in short as COMA to oversee all sapects of organic development.
The island is fortunate to have received the assistance from SPC funded by the International Fund for Agriculture Development(IFAD)coordinated in Fiji by Mr Sakiusa Tubuna and which works together with IFOAM- International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements.
The organic development not only benefits Cicia from having access to health products and ensuring sustainable develpoment,but also the economic potential that arises out of this.These benefits are slowly materializing and we offer special acknowledgement to the stakeholders of this important development.
