MEET FIJI’S EMPOWERING BUSINESSWOMEN

Jodi Smith, Sashi Kiran and Litia Kirwin are three women championing Fiji’s organic sector and the common denominator is their social entrepreneurship skills.

“Their bravery and resilience is motivated by their will to create positive change within Fijian communities,” says Peter Rudd. “Their priority is to give opportunities to the vulnerable sectors of the community while fully respecting the environment.”

In Fiji the key for these women is to learn and understand Fiji’s multicultural environment, he adds. “Once they overcome those barriers and build trust, navigating the market is easy.”

Jodi Smith: The Earth Care Agency

Jodi Smith is the driving force behind TECA – an organisation that runs blue- and- green- economyfocused projects in Fiji and supports Fijian businesses in primary industries – with a focus on closing the divide created by global inequality.

Eight years ago Smith transitioned a Fijian sheep and lemon farm into a business exporting organic- certified ginger and turmeric, and supplying many of New Zealand’s ginger beer manufacturers. It was her first taste of organic farming and she’s since worked at the coalface of agricultural commodity production with the goal of understanding the challenges of the world’s poorest people, changing their economic circumstances, and seeing what role organics can play in securing higher incomes.

Smith says selling Bula Batiki organic virgin coconut oil to Huckleberry in Auckland gave everyone involved in Fiji a huge sense of pride. It proved their product can compete on an international stage. “This brings a confidence which in turn inspires others.” https://teca.community

Sashi Kiran: FRIEND Fiji

The Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises Development was set up in 2001 to improve the livelihoods of Fiji’s rural communities using the knowledge and resources they already had.

Now almost two decades later their jams, chutneys, pickles, teas and spices have been developed into commercial products, all made and packaged in hygienic and safe food facilities.

The jams and chutneys are sold throughout Fiji and are now available in New Zealand.

“Fiji communities have an abundance of amazing staples like plantain (a type of banana), breadfruit and cassava which are gluten-free and rich in fibre,” says FRIEND Fiji founder and director Sashi Kiran.

“Even the most remote community is able to use solar technology to make gluten-free flours that offer consumers a healthy option and our communities a steady source of income.” http:// friendfiji.com

Litia Kirwin: Loving Islands

Litia Kirwin is the founding director of Loving

Islands, a social enterprise manufacturing and retailing organic and natural cosmetics, wholefoods and homewares. These products support sustainable income opportunities and environmental conservation throughout the Fiji Islands.

“Every dollar our business earns positively advances Fijian community livelihoods,” says Kirwin.

“We are working towards becoming Fiji’s leading organic agricultural exporter of organic manufacturing inputs, such as organic activated coconut charcoal and unique medicinal plant oils.” https://www.lovingislands.com