24 March 2025, Taveuni, Fiji – On the island of Taveuni, where the lush greenery meets the deep blue of the Pacific, 43-year old Organic Farmer, Mr. Liopoli Cirimaitoga, is proving that the land can heal if given the chance. Having reforested 100 acres of once-barren, degraded land, he is leading by example, showing his fellow farmers that they do not need to encroach on the Taveuni Forest Reserve to sustain their livelihoods.
Standing on his farm, Mr. Cirimaitoga, gestures toward the distant hills where the Taveuni Forest Reserve also known as the Blue Line Boundary is visible. “You can see the blue line boundary from here, and we’re using what we’ve learned to reforest areas that are bare,” he said with a quiet determination.
His journey into reforestation began when he enrolled in the Land Care Project, a program under the Teitei Taveuni, which taught him the importance of protecting and restoring the land. But he didn’t stop there. Not only did he apply what he learned, but he also took it upon himself to share his knowledge with fellow farmers. He added, “You might ask who all are part of this farm, and that’s what I do – I help others do the work that I am doing. We’ve witnessed the importance of knowing our environment and its ecosystem.”
He explains that the transition to reforestation has not only helped restore the land but has also brought economic benefits. Some of the products from his farm require less labor yet generate consistent income. Unlike dalo and yaqona, which provide earnings in lump sums, these other crops yield income regularly – sometimes reaching thousands of dollars per week.
The transformation is evident. “The look of the environment here in the farm is starting to change. We see a lot more trees now. Before, it was bare like those hills – empty, with no trees in some places. These trees here on the farm were all planted. This is almost 100 acres of reforestation. Many times, all we think about is money and profit, but no. We must first think of our food security for our families.” said Mr. Cirimaitoga.
(Photo: SPREP / Loraini Sivo, PEBACC+ © Kiwa Initiative – June 2024)
A key lesson he emphasizes is proper land use through spacing, a concept he believes many farmers overlook. He added, “Many farmers are good at planting, but they don’t know anything about spacing. And that’s key in Land Use because spacing allows the soil to recover – that’s how God created it.”
Supporting his initiative is the Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC+) project, implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and funded by the Kiwa Initiative and the French Facility for Global Environment. The PEBACC+ project has provided him with farming tools to help expand his agroforestry farming practice, and due to road inaccessibility, the project also supplied him with needed equipment to carry his organic produce to the market. This assistance has enabled him to further his reforestation efforts, ensuring that more barren areas can be restored and cultivated for sustainable agriculture.
Ms. Loraini Sivo, PEBACC+ Project Manager with SPREP said, “The protection of the Forest Reserve and the reforestation of degraded land are critical for the long-term sustainability of our environment, livelihoods, and biodiversity. Forests play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by protecting watersheds, preventing soil erosion, and providing habitat for countless species.
“Through the PEBACC+ project, we are committed to supporting community initiatives that restore degraded land and promote sustainable agricultural practices. By providing essential tools to create an enabling environment for farmers, we help empower them to take action in restoring the land while maintaining productive farms.
Ms. Sivo added, “Reforesting barren areas not only helps combat the effects of climate change but also ensures that future generations have access to fertile land and natural resources. The success of reforestation efforts, such as this by Liopoli, is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, education, and a shared commitment to environmental stewardship. We encourage all farmers to adopt these practices, respect the Forest Reserve boundaries, and contribute to a greener, more resilient future.”
The Taveuni Forest Reserves are part of Fiji’s largest Reserves marked by the Blue Line Boundary and are protected for the conservation of biodiversity and natural processes of the forest. But as farmers move further inland in search of better soil fertility to expand farmlands, sections of the Reserves have been illegally cleared leading to the loss of forest cover in water catchment areas.
(Photo: Loraini Sivo & Liopoli Cirimaitoga, PEBACC+ © Kiwa Initiative – June 2024 & March 2025)
Mr. Cirimaitoga’s message to farmers is clear: rather than cutting deeper into the Taveuni Forest Reserve or the Blue Line Boundary, they should focus on restoring the land that has already been damaged. “There is knowledge that needs to be shared with farmers so that they don’t break the Forest Reserve boundaries. They should all move out. These areas you see that are bare can be reforested and restored. I’ve seen it happen in other parts of Fiji. It can be done. We can change it.”
His passion for the land is not just about farming – it’s about creating a sustainable future for generations to come. As more farmers follow his lead, Taveuni’s landscape can slowly be transformed, proving that with education, dedication, and a deep respect for nature – restoration is possible. His story serves as proof that true prosperity lies not just in profit, but in the health of the land and the people who depend on it. With the right support, reforestation can restore livelihoods and protect the Pacific’s fragile ecosystems. The time to act is now.
PEBACC+ is a €5.8 million regional project implemented by SPREP and funded by the Kiwa Initiative through its donors the European Union, Agence Française de Développement, Global Affairs Canada, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with co-financing from French Facility for Global Environment. This four-year project seeks to strengthen the resilience of ecosystems, economies, and communities to the impacts of climate change in Fiji, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
For more information, please contact: Setaita Tavanabola, Communications Officer, PEBACC+ Project, SPREP; tel: +679 9468748; email: setaitat@sprep.org