Abstract
Seaweeds are a source of food throughout the Pacific region. Kiribati, however, does not have a strong history of using seaweed in their diets, despite having reliable access to indigenous edible seaweeds. A series of peer-led seaweed training workshops held in Kiribati between 2018 and 2019 provided women with knowledge, skills, and motivational support needed to engage in the seaweed supply chain, from harvesting, processing, and marketing to consumption. This study aimed to identify opportunities and enablers to support women’s participation across the seaweed supply chain. Structured interviews with 49 women explored their interest and expected costs and benefits from involvement in the supply chain. There was high interest in most seaweed-related activities and the key motivators were health and nutrition for themselves and their family. Participants were also interested in developing and sharing new skills and saw the potential for income generation. However, there were also clear barriers including a desire for further training in seaweed harvesting, processing, and recipe creation; additional social support; and in public promotion. Given the natural resources and desire of women to engage in developing this new edible seaweed supply chain in Kiribati, there is now a need for capacity development to build social and economic wellbeing and food security across the broader community. Additional peer-to-peer training opportunities may look to other Pacific Islands where seaweed is already an established and traditional food.
Highlights
Pacific Island nations face considerable challenges including urbanisation, climate change [1], and some of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world [2]
Through a series of peer-led training workshops focused on women’s social, economic, and nutritional wellbeing, this study introduced i-Kiribati women to various activities across the seaweed supply chain including shallow reef harvesting, processing, cooking, consumption, and marketing
To understand how to support women’s ongoing engagement in seaweed activities, this study aimed to determine their interest in involvement and to explore barriers and enablers for participation across the food supply chain
Summary
Pacific Island nations face considerable challenges including urbanisation, climate change [1], and some of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world [2]. Changes in dietary patterns in the Pacific have resulted in a triple burden of malnutrition, with growth in diet-related non-communicable diseases alongside micronutrient deficiencies, stunting, and wasting [2,3,4]. Transition to a modern diet has seen an increase in nutrient-poor, energy-dense foods, leading to stunted growth together with weight gain, resulting in poor health outcomes throughout the life-course [2,5]. Ranked as the poorest country in the Pacific Region and 25th poorest internationally [8], Kiribati has experienced a modern nutrition transition and is impacted by sustainable development issues, concerns for food and nutrition security, and the triple burden of malnutrition [9,10,11]. A consistent rise in the prevalence of adult obesity (currently estimated to be 45.6%), together with an increase in anaemia among women of reproductive age (26.1%) are some of the key health challenges in Kiribati [7]
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