2025/01/01 by Tuivanualevu, Tetalo, Leweniqila, Ilisoni, Sewabu, Waisea +4
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Social Sciences · #Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies #Phytochemistry and biological activities of Ficus species #Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies #agroforestry #avocado #climate-smart #food and nutrition security #tourism
paper · doi:10.26021/16131
openalex publication_date 2025/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/11/19 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/01
Fiji has among the world’s highest rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounting for more than 80% mortality. Dietary transition from traditional locally grown food to imported food products readily available at the convenience of supermarkets is a major driver of NCDs. Avocado is globally recognised as an important fruit crop due to its high nutritive value. It contains antioxidants, anticancer, and anti-hemolytic properties which are beneficial for heart diseases, diabetes, cancer, and other NCDs. Moreover, the tourism sector has high demand for avocados, but more than 80 percent (in volume) is imported. Despite its early introduction to Fiji in the 19th century, avocado is still not popular among farmers. Though the tourism sector has high demand for avocado, most of it is imported. Local production is confined to home gardens and harvesting from the wild, which cannot meet the quality standards and ensure consistency of supply. Other key constraints are environmental conditions and climate change, unavailability of planting material, inadequate postharvest management, poor farmer interest in tree growing practices, and low awareness of the nutritive and health benefits of avocado. Agricultural diversification through the establishment of orchards and avocado based agroforestry systems can not only meet increasing demand