Export Permit Programme to formalise agriculture: Minister

July 10, 2025 10:15 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

Compiled by Anita Roberts.

The Commercial Agriculture and Export Permit Programme launched yesterday in Luganville, Santo, will transform agriculture by shifting it from informal practices to a more structured business-oriented industry.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Agriculture, Ian Wilson. 

“This way, the Government through the ministry I led will be serious in supporting you (business farmers), especially to increase sustainable production of crops we have a strong advantage in, such as kava, cacao, coconut, pepper, vanilla, coffee, taro, yam, sweet potato, cassava, peanut, pineapple, Tahitian lime, noni, high-value vegetables, pawpaw, banana, island cabbage and others,” he said.

Minister Wilson said the programme will recognise the participation of local Vanuatu investors in agriculture development. 

“It will establish an active data and information system to help the Ministry of Agriculture understand how many farmers there are in Vanuatu, where they are located, and the production levels of various crops on each commercial farm,” he said. “The system will also help in understanding the market, connecting farmers with local markets, supporting farmers in key provinces and islands, and improving service delivery at the Area Council level.

“In the 2022 business census, Vanuatu registered 15,000 active businesses. Only 187 are involved in agriculture, which means just 1.1% of businesses operate within the agriculture sector. This information clearly shows that as a country, it is the government’s duty to create a conducive environment to strengthen commercial agriculture in Vanuatu.”

The minister also mentioned the benefits of the programme, such as the establishment of a Commercial Agriculture Development Fund, which will support successful farmers and farms operating with valid permits.

The ways this fund will help farmers include improving water infrastructure aimed at boosting productivity, strengthen inter-island trade in agricultural goods, land clearing, support farms with machinery, tools and equipment and assisting farmers with recovery efforts during natural disasters like cyclones.

“Another important development that the programme will facilitate is the reduction of business operation costs in agriculture through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements between the government, commercial farms, local farmers, and permitted foreign investors involved in processing agricultural products,” he said.

Minister Wilson encouraged farmers to be part of the programme, which will be initially rolled out on Santo and Efate later this year.

A second launching of the Commercial Agriculture Business and Export Permit will be held in Port Vila on Thursday next week.