Introduction

Family farming provides a significant part of the food supply to most Pacific Islands people and communities, but there is no comprehensive view of the importance of this agricultural production in the South Pacific region and its contribution to population health. In this project, agriculture is considered in its basic and broadest sense as “human activity to produce plants and animals useful to humans.” This deliberately simplified position considers agriculture from the point of view of plants and animal species, including breeding and fishing. This conception places agriculture at the heart of Melanesian societies and thus links land and sea. Moreover, agriculture occupies a central place in human-environmental relations and intervenes at all levels of the functioning of the Oceanic societies. It connects people with nature, structures and guides relations with the environment, controls the exploitation of natural resources, and establishes deep relationships with the environment. This approach, with its perspective on improving living and health conditions, means that this activity is viewed globally through lifestyle.

The lifestyle of Pacific Islanders has undergone a brutal transition over the last 70 years. The cultures of Pacific Islands peoples have been exposed to military presence during and after the Second World War, the development of centralised political rule, monetisation of economic systems, and increased trade globalisation. A food transition is underway in the Pacific regiona, and the food pattern has shifted from a traditional diet of mostly fresh fish, vegetables, and tubers to a modern diet that includes canned meat or fish, oil, sugar, rice and processed foods. At the same time, daily activity, which was initially based on fishing and agriculture, has shifted to more sedentary activities that have had a major impact on people’s health. More recently, the mechanization and digitization of environments have strongly influenced behaviour and levels of physical activity. This obesogenic environment is the root cause of the so-called “non-communicable diseases” (NCDs), and the process starts at an early age.

Missions and research themes

Revitalisation and promotion of family farming for the improvement of the Pacific Island populations’ health (Vanuatu, Solomon islands, Papuasia New Guinea, Fiji) :

Family farming is a practice that has always been rooted in the culture of the people of Oceania. Today, it remains too little studied and is threatened by environmental, social and economic transformations linked in particular to climate change, which is affecting he entire planet but of which the Pacific islands are the most vulnerable.

Ensuring food security in the context of high vulnerabilities (rapid socio-economic transitions, climate change and health risks) : 

In this context of advanced climate change, food security, anchored on family farming, environmental preservation and education are fundamental issues for the health of the populations of the Pacific islands. There is therefore an imperative need for changes in individual and societal behaviour for future generations.

Main project of research themes

•  Agriculture and food security

Family farming is a practice rooted in the Oceanian culture. For a long time, it has provided most of the food for families, in line with the nutritional and health needs of the population, while preserving their environment.

Today, family farming and food are threatened by the development of cities, the transformation of means of production and transportation, which are profoundly changing lifestyles and endangering the health of populations. These transformations and climate change place the islands in a highly vulnerable situation.

Multidisciplinary methods are mobilized to analyze the biophysical, socio-economic and spatial aspects of family farming: soil science, spatialization tools for Earth observation (cartography, GIS, remote sensing, UAVs), surveys and interviews for the socio-economic dimensions. Family farming is thus approached from the perspective of community relations, society relations, markets and the environment.

• Families, lifestyles and health

The way of life of the people of the Pacific has undergone a brutal transition over the last 70 years. A dietary transition is underway in the Pacific region and the diet has shifted from a traditional diet consisting mainly of fresh fish, vegetables and tubers to a modern diet consisting mainly of imported products and canned meat or fish, oil, sugar, rice and processed foods.

At the same time, daily activity, initially based on fishing and agriculture, has shifted to more sedentary activities that have had a major impact on people’ health.

Pacific Islanders now face the highest rates of prevalence of overweight and its complications, such as diabetes. For example, the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension is over 20% in more than eight countries in the region and overweight affects between 50 and 80% of adults.

Exploring nutrition (macro- and micro-nutrient intakes) and physical activity (energy expenditure) in family farming families allows researchers to identify potentially long-lasting health effects. This analysis of intergenerational practices (children, parents and grandparents) allows for a better understanding of health effects and the promotion of healthier lifestyles.

• Knowledge, exchange and education

FALAH aims to cross traditional and scientific knowledge on small-scale agriculture and food practices to establish production and consumption strategies adapted to the socio-cultural context.

Research results will contribute to the promotion of food education, physical activity and diet-related lifestyle changes for people’ well-being, in a bottom-up perspective.

The sharing of new knowledge to develop sustainable intervention strategies that can help people in other regions, especially people in urban and peri-urban areas, will lead to the development of agriculture at the local level that guarantees the health of all.

Institutions and laboratories involved

 New Caledonia

• Institute of Exact and Applied Sciences ISEA-EA 7484 (coord. Prof. Jean-Marie Footsing)
• Interdisciplinary Educational Research Laboratory LIRE, EA 7483 (coord. Ass Prof. Olivier Galy)
• Research Center for Law and Economics LARJE-EA 3329 (coord. Prof. Catherine Ris)
• Institut Agronomique Néo-Calédonien IAC (ccord. Dr. Séverine Bouard)
• Institut Recherche et Développement IRD (coord. DR Gilbert David)

France

• CNRS IDEES JRU 6266 (coord. DR Arnaud Banos)
• CNRS CID 52 (coord. CR Sophie Caillon)
• University Toulouse Jean Jaures-Research Center on Work Organizations and Policies CERTOP CNRS UMR 5044 (coord. Ass. Prof. Christophe Serra-Mallol)

Germany

• Ludwig Maximilians Universitat Munchen (coord. Prof. Eveline Dürr)

Australia

• University of Sydney USYD (coord. Prof. David Raubenheimer)
• University of New South Wales UNSW ( coord. Prof. Romain Barres)
• University of Western Sydney WSU (coord. Dr Nichole Georgeou)
• University of Wollongongong UOW (coord. Dr. Aurelie Delisle)

Vanuatu

• Ministry of Education and Training MOET (coord. Dr Felicity Rogers Nilwo)
• Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Center VARTC (coord. Dr Vincent Lebot)

Solomon

• Solomon Islands National University SINU (coord. Dr Viliamu Iese)

Fiji

• University of South Pacific USP (coord. Dr Jito Vanualailai)