FALAH (Family farming, lifestyle and health)

In Pacific Island countries, agriculture represents a significant sector of the economy. Most of exports are cash crop agricultural commodities that require labour-intensive processing, such as palm oil, copra, coconut oil, vanilla, coffee and cocoa. In addition, the role of family in agricultural processes remains fundamental.

The EU-funded FALAH project builds its multidisciplinary research around the strict connection between agriculture and food, and focuses on the family role in farming and food in the area of the Pacific Islands. Due to the close relationship between agriculture and food, the project is structured in three complementary scientific components: the adaptation of family farming systems for sustainable food security, health and family lifestyles and finally knowledge, exchange and education.

The project involves some fifteen multidisciplinary teams at local, regional and international networks and mobilizes researchers and teaching-researchers from Europe and partners from Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Australia.