Barriers to market for subsistence farmers in Fiji - A gendered perspective

Previous studies of barriers and challenges for Fijian farmers engaging in agricultural markets have primarily focused on supporting semi-commercial farmers to better engage in higher-value domestic and export orientated supply chains. Despite substantial levels of hardship and poverty faced by subsistence based farmers living in rural Fiji; the barriers and challenges for engaging in markets for this cohort of farmers have not been identified. This finding is consistent with our review of contemporary literature on this topic, which highlights an international research intensity focused on small holder farmers' transitioning from subsistence to commodity or market based agriculture. There is in contrast, relatively little known about the initial barriers restricting subsistence farmers from engaging in local agriculture markets. This area of research is particularly important, as engaging in markets has been promoted as a vehicle through which those in need can escape poverty and hardship. The aim of this article is therefore to understand, through qualitative research methods, the main limitations and barriers confronting rural communities of subsistence farmers across the island of Viti Levu, Fiji. From this broad base, we explore the additional challenges restricting rural women. Our research findings indicate that in addition to numerous infrastructural and physical challenges impeding female farmers, there is skepticism amongst the communities regarding the actual benefit of engaging in the market, given the high risks involved.