Fiji Research Articles

Techno-Economic Assessment and Potential Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction of Standalone Solar PV and Hybrid Solar PV-Diesel Generator Systems in Fiji Islands

The high cost of extending national grid to the highly dispersed Fiji Islands has made many locations to be without electricity. Therefore, techno-economic assessment of standalones (solar PV, diesel generator) and hybrid solar PV-diesel generator systems in four different regions of Fiji Islands have been carried out. The potential reduction in greenhouse emission of standalone diesel generator has been estimated and compared with that of the hybrid system. Solar radiation data for the four selected locations (Ba, Suva, Labasa and Rakiraki) have been fed into the Homer software for analysis. This study is a comparative study of the four selected locations. Only the current price of diesel of $0.8 and the mean radiation of 5.64, 5.13, 4.79 and 5.22 kWh/m2-day for the four selected locations, respectively, have been used thus there has been no variation in the value of these factors. It has been shown that Ba is the best location with the least levelized cost of energy of $0.4976/kW, while the highest levelized cost of energy of $0.5734/kW has been obtained for Rakiraki for standalone PV solar energy system. The obtained findings can be a useful guide to stakeholders in Fiji and the world at large for effective energy planning.

Relationship between the coronavirus pandemic and criminal activities: Emerging evidence from Fiji Islands

Introduction: The spread of the coronavirus has led to strict containment measures around the world, simply to restrict the gathering of a large number of people. In Fiji, the COVID-19 lockdown measures are affecting different social aspects, including crime rates and criminal activities.
 Methods: This study was based on a secondary analysis of aggregated crime data, presenting preliminary analyses on crime trends across the Fiji Islands, during the first six months of the curfew period. It considers how the crime patterns shifted due to the numerous containment restrictions. We studied the crime data during the first six months of the curfew period, starting from March 31 to September 30, 2020, against the average of crime occurrences for the same period over the last four years (2016-2019).
 Results and Discussion: The study shows an overall increase of 18.8% in crime occurrences, during the curfew period. The disobedience against lawful orders were largely made up of curfew breaches (with an astounding increase of 2602 cases), with the southern and western divisions registering the majority of offences. The study also provides evidence of a decrease in offences against public morality (-41.7%) and property (-26.8%) during the curfew period, which could most likely be linked to strict stay-home restrictions and limited mobility. Criminal offences such as burglary (-24.6%), theft (-22%) and aggravated robbery (-23.3%) show a decreasing trend in the curfew period. However, a worrying increase in offences against the drugs ordinance act (104.4%), common assault (28.6%), serious assault (97.4%) and criminal intimidation (36.8%) is noted in this study. It could be interpreted that the central division (-46.4%) was possibly the safest area in Fiji during the first few months of the curfew, while the southern (17.9%) and western (29.2%) continue to show an increasing crime trend.
 Conclusion: The findings of this research are consistent with the predictions of the routine activity theory, which estimates crime rates to fluctuate during an exceptional event. Regardless of some limitations and directions for future research, the current study contributes to the literature on exceptional events and crime through an ongoing pandemic in the South Pacific.
 Keywords: Coronavirus, Fiji, lockdown, crime rates

Republic of Fiji v Prasad: revolutionary legality and the taxonomy of legal change

ABSTRACT Hans Kelsen's theory of the nature of legal systems—and how legal systems are changed—has been endorsed in a series of cases in which courts have adjudicated the legality of a revolution. In all of these cases except one, courts have validated the revolutionary regime. This article focuses on the sole case that stands against this jurisprudential tide: Republic of Fiji v Prasad. In Prasad, the Court explicitly criticised Kelsen's influence on the jurisprudence of revolution and, remarkably, declared the coup in question unlawful. Commentators have received the case positively, arguing that the court's eschewal of Kelsen was instrumental to the result in the case. I seek to rebut this received view. I show that the Kelsenian view is alive and well in the Court's method and result. I conclude with broader reflections on the very coherence of a jurisprudence of revolution itself.

The previous concept of the cosmopolitan pest ant Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793) includes two species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Tapinoma)

Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793), known under the vernacular name Ghost Ant and being a widely distributed cosmopolitan tramp species with significant pest status, has been considered long-since to represent a single species. Yet, investigation of 83 worker samples from the whole globe provided evidence that the Ghost Ant consists of two species: 8.4 % of the samples belonged to the new species T. pithecorum sp. nov. whereas 91.6 % were classified as T. melanocephalum. Absence of mixed samples indicates that T. melanocephalum and T. pithecorum sp. nov. do not represent morphs of the same species. T. pithecorum sp. nov. is known from a greenhouse finding in Germany and outdoor populations from the south of the Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, India, Malaysia and the Fiji and Christmas Islands. The phenotypical separation of the new species from other minute Tapinoma species of Orientalic, Indo-Australian and Australasian origin is very clear, allowing identification even by evaluation of z-stack photos. A detailed argumentation is presented that Tapinoma pellucida (Smith, 1857), T. coronatum (Forel, 1908), T. malesianum (Forel, 1913), T. australis (Santschi, 1928), T. australe (Santschi, 1928), T. luffae (Kurian, 1955), T. wallacei (Guerrero, 2018) and T. jerdoni nom. nov. should be considered as synonyms of T. melanocephalum. Synomymies of T. melanocephalum and T. pithecorum sp. nov. with T. indicum (Forel, 1895) and Tapinoma minutum (Mayr, 1862) are clearly excluded by morphometric data. Diagrams of principal component analyses, photos, a key as well as a morphometric table to separate these four species are presented. In a concluding section, is argued that the true number of species related to these four species is much larger than presently known and a warning is given regarding careless use of pigmentation characters in ant identification.

Understanding Sociocultural Influences on Physical Activity in Relation to Overweight and Obesity in a Rural Indigenous Community of Fiji Islands

IntroductionGiven health disparities and increased rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases seen in Indigenous populations worldwide and the evidence connecting sociocultural knowledge with physical activity, health, and wellbeing, this research was undertaken to understand the social and cultural components contributing to obesity in the Indigenous Fijian rural areas.MethodsThis research is a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project, which engaged community members from a rural iTaukei village in the Fiji Islands. Data collection was carried out through community consultation and semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed using descriptive thematic analysis.ResultsFour major themes emerged associated with sociocultural, economic, political, and physical environmental factors. Males emphasised sports and working on farmlands as preferred types of physical activity, while females focused on family activities and daily activities and support for females’ separate playgrounds. There was a focus on previous health promotion programs that did not incorporate the cultural values, cultural competence beliefs, and traditional ways of the rural Indigenous Fijian community.ConclusionThe healthcare providers and policymakers need to recognise the iTaukei community culture and appreciate traditional methods to promote equitable community participation in decision-making for health promotion. These findings should inform future research and community-based health programs to address the physical activity levels of the rural Indigenous community and may be relevant to other Indigenous peoples.

Representing and evaluating the travel motivations of Pacific islanders

AbstractThe mobility patterns and travel motivations of Pacific Islanders have largely been neglected by discourses and discussions on Asia‐Pacific tourism. To examine the travel preferences and travel motivations of Pacific Islanders, we administered surveys (n = 1100) across the five Pacific Island States and Territories of Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa and Solomon Islands. The research offers a comparative analysis across national boundaries by highlighting commonalities and differences among the five groups. Family, kinship and religious dimensions stand out as shared and crucial factors influencing travel preferences and travel motivations across the region. Nonetheless, the research identified differences between the Pacific communities which can be explained with each country's level of socioeconomic development, political structure, geography, cultural context and globalisation. The study advances knowledge on the mobilities and travel motivations of non‐Western tourists by conceptualising the Pacific Islands from the perspective of a tourism‐generating region.

Improving Diabetes Care: A Fijian Diabetes Service Improvement Study.

Background Achieving good outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients' needs a decent integrated care service with access to resources. The Fiji Islands has one of the highest rates of diabetes disease burden and has available resources to alleviate the diabetic disease pandemic in its population, yet patient outcomes are getting worse. We hypothesize that a dysfunction in health-care delivery system may be accentuating the diabetic disease process; therefore, this service evaluation study was conducted to provide insight into the management of T2DM in a secondary care clinic setting. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patient records for the past three years (2015-2018). Random quota sampling was used to extract patient folders over a one-month period. A total of 113 patient charts were analyzed which met the inclusion criteria. Results The overall glycemic levels were uncontrolled in every seven out of ten patients. Most of the patients were on combination drug therapy and at maximum dosing ranges. HbA1c tests, as a monitoring tool, were being inadequately used. Nonadherence to management was prominent in poor controlled patients, and physicians failed to provide appropriate interventions in this group. Nearly all the patients had not received eye assessments, foot risk assessment, and individualized dietetic counselling over three years. Macrovascular complications were more common than microvascular end organ damage. Conclusion There is a high degree of uncontrolled glycemia and comorbidities in patients attending the service of study which is being perpetuated by poor integrated diabetes care. Strengthening educational initiatives, using validated strategic tools to streamline diabetic services and astute evidence-based resource allocation and management, is needed.

Estimating Compounding Storm Surge and Sea Level Rise Effects and Bias Correction Impact when Projecting Future Impact on Volcanic Islands in Oceania. Case Study of Viti Levu, Fiji

Oceania comprises many Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the majority of which are founded on volcanic islands. Small islands are generally vulnerable to the effects of climate change. However, a high number of islands and different coastal morphology make it challenging to accurately estimate climate change impact on this region. Nevertheless, quantifying hazards and thus assessing vulnerability is crucial for policymaking and adaptation efforts regarding SIDS. Meanwhile, Viti Levu is the principal island of Fiji. Therefore, climate change projection in Viti Levu helps estimate how volcanic islands in Oceania will be affected under future climate. This study projects the compound impact of storm surge by tropical cyclone (TC) and SLR on Viti Levu under current and future climate conditions. The primary goal of this study is to estimate the impact of extreme 50- and 100-years return storms on coastal areas and populations. This study also assesses the impact of the bias correction of TC intensity for impact assessment. Even though limited to one island, the results could facilitate the application on other volcanic islands, primarily in Melanesia. Even though Viti Levu is a high island, tropical cyclones can sustain extensive economic damage and result in high numbers of the temporarily displaced population in some low-lying coastal locations. The results show that bias can be significant when comparing observed and estimated datasets, particularly for less intense and future extreme events.

TeleseismicP-to-Rayleigh Conversions from Near-Surface Geological Structure along the Newport–Inglewood Fault Zone in Long Beach, California

ABSTRACTWe investigate near-surface 3D structure giving rise to P-to-Rayleigh wave conversions from teleseismic P waves recorded by the Long Beach array, southern California. Our previous study demonstrated that a local Rayleigh wave having circular wavefronts with phase velocities of ∼1 km/s arise from Signal Hill in array P wave data from a large Fiji Islands earthquake. A group of high-spatial frequency, low velocity 0.7–0.9 km/s Rayleigh waves having linear wavefronts also propagate away from strands of the Newport–Inglewood fault zone (NIFZ), suggesting that P-to-Rayleigh wave conversions from fault damage zones can also be observed. We compute synthetic waveforms using 3D finite difference to show that topography of Signal Hill accounts for much of the circular P-to-Rayleigh wave conversions. The NIFZ is best modeled by low-velocity, vertical tabular features above a depth of 500 m, with a width of 100–120 m, and ∼15% reduction in VP and VS compared with the background model. We observe that structure from the northwestern part of the inferred southwest boundary fault of the Signal Hill anticline dominates the scattering from fault damage zones. It is remarkable that the combination of low, near-surface velocity with relatively small-scale heterogeneity can significantly affect the signature of long horizontal wavelength teleseismic P waves, suggesting additional complexities in interpreting receiver functions for stations on deep sedimentary basins or in areas of significant topography.

Fossil Capsular Valves ofKoelreuteria(Sapindaceae) from the Eocene of Central Tibetan Plateau and Their Biogeographic Implications

Premise of research. Koelreuteria encompasses three extant species that are discontinuously distributed in East Asia and the Fiji Islands. Koelreuteria had a wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere during the Paleogene, with the first known fossil record being from the early Eocene of western North America. This study reports early fossil occurrences of Koelreuteria in Asia with a detailed morphological investigation and considers the history of its biogeographical dispersal in light of these finds.Methodology. Four capsular valve fossil species of Koelreuteria are recognized from the early middle Eocene of the Niubao Formation at the Jianglang site (present altitude 4850 m), Bangor County, central Tibetan Plateau, China. They are compared with previous fossil occurrences using existing literature and herbarium records of extant material.Pivotal results. We describe a new species, Koelreuteria kvacekii P.-R. Chen, C. Del Rio & T. Su sp. nov., characterized by its oblate capsular valve, lobed apex, and cordate base of the valve, as well as one or two suborbicular seeds per locule. Other material is assigned to species previously described from other locations, extending the geographic and stratigraphic ranges for K. miointegrifoliola, K. allenii, and K. lunpolaensis.Conclusions. Fossil records of Koelreuteria and other co-occurring plants evidence a subtropical climate in central Tibet during the middle Eocene, contrasting with the present cold and dry climate in this region. These are the earliest fossil records of Koelreuteria from what is now the Tibetan Plateau. It seems that the Tibetan region served as an early diversification center for Koelreuteria during the Paleogene in Asia. All species of this flora disappeared locally because of the formation of the Tibetan Plateau by the Neogene.

Assessing university students’ perceptions of teacher care

This study aimed to examine university students’ perceptions of teacher care overall and in the three constructs of pedagogical care, holistic care and relational care, to consider their inclusion in quality enhancement models. Quantitative research using self-administrated online survey was conducted with undergraduates in Hong Kong, Macau, Republic of Fiji, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Based on the descriptive and paired-sample t-test analyses, empirical results have shown that university students perceived teacher care as important. They ascribed the highest importance to relational care, followed by pedagogical care and holistic care. This research advocates recognising the importance of teacher care in university education and integrating it into higher education pedagogy. This article proposes a caring quality mechanism for enhancing teaching quality, to address the inadequacy of the audit-focused quality system.

Developing Social Security Schemes for Small Island Economies: Lessons from Fiji's COVID-19 Experience

COVID-19 has triggered deep economic damage and devastated livelihoods to an extent never before experienced. It has revealed socio-economic vulnerabilities and so can be used as a learning platform in preparing for future shocks. In particular, it has exposed the vulnerability of households to sudden, severe, and prolonged income shock, the significance of social security as a shock response tool, and the importance of household resilience for macroeconomic stability. This study uses the pandemic as an opportunity to understand the resilience of Fijian households to profound and prolonged income shocks, given these households' social, cultural, and economic setting. It evaluates national response strategies, household coping mechanisms, and gaps in the current social security measures in Fiji. This evaluation reveals several key lessons for a systematic response to any future shocks. The lessons may prove beneficial not only for Fiji, but also for other similar economies in the region. Policy makers can build on the operational learning and capacity developed during the pandemic, reinforce existing social security systems, and be better prepared for future income shocks. Fiji and other Pacific Island economies are highly vulnerable to climate-related risks and have endured the adverse economic effects of some extremely intense natural disasters. It is important for these economies to strengthen household resilience and develop sustainable and broad-based programs for social protection.

Classification of Coastal Belts on the Coral Coast of Viti Levu, Republic of Fiji, South Pacific, using the BCCS (Biophysical Cross-shore Classification System)

Finkl, C.W. and Makowski, C., 2022. Detailed interpretation of satellite images of coastal belts on the Coral Coast of Viti Levu, Republic of Fiji, South Pacific, using the BCCS (Biophysical Cross-shore Classification System). Journal of Coastal Research, 38(3), 491–511. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Lying on the southwest Fijian coast of Viti Levu, the Coral Coast is noted for its fringing coral reefs that extend for an overall alongshore length of about 80 km (from Momi to Suva), with the study area being a 32-km-long subset in the Sigatoka region. The fringing reefs, extending offshore for an average maximum distance of about 650 m, are broken into contiguous segments by deep-water cross-shore channels composing discrete coastal belts. When the fringing reef segments are combined with other onshore (terrestrial) eco-geomorphological units, they make up nine distinct coastal belts in the study area comprised by 35 domains. The cross-shore classification of the Coral Coast examples was based on application of the BCCS (Biophysical Cross-shore Classification System), which required interpretation of satellite images to comprehend cross-shore catenary (linked) sequences that had alongshore extent. Imagery from 2010 to 2017 was accessed to obtain the best possible views of each reef segment and adjacent mountain hinterland. Due to spatial limitations, capabilities of the Google Earth Pro platform were accessed to acquire sufficient interpretive details for compilation of cross-shore transectal archetypes and subarchetypes from the reef front to coastal mountain slopes. Typical cross-shore classificatory sequences consisted of Coral Reef (Cr), Flat (F), Beach (Be), and Mountain (M) archetypes that formed tetrasequent Cr-F-Be-M catenas. Although a limited number of small Delta (De) archetypes overrode back-reef flat margins, their frequency of occurrence was not a domainal characteristic. The occurrence of Developed (Dv) archetypes were more or less ubiquitous onshore, whereas alongshore bedrock outcrops of the Rock (R) archetype were rare. Because the scale of natural and anthropogenic features along the coast demanded a detailed (hectometric) coastal classification, the BCCS was applied on an experimental basis to ascertain its applicability as an exemplar for similar studies in insular settings elsewhere.

Categorisation of Antimicrobial Use in Fijian Livestock Production Systems.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global threat to human and animal health. The use of antimicrobials in the livestock sector is considered to contribute to AMR. Therefore, a reduction in and prudent use of antimicrobials in livestock production systems have been advocated. This cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the extent of imprudent antimicrobial use (AMU) and to determine whether the AMU practice was affected by either the farming system or species of farmed livestock in the largest island (Viti Levu) of Fiji. A total of 276 livestock enterprises were surveyed and antimicrobials were used on 309 occasions over 90 days. Overall, in 298 of 309 (96%) incidents, antimicrobials were used imprudently, comprising antibiotics, 160 of 170 (94%) and anthelmintics, 138 of 139 (99%). Prudent use of antibiotics was associated with commercial farming systems (X2 = 13, p = 0.001), but no association was observed with anthelmintic use (p > 0.05). Imprudent antibiotic use was associated with dairy (OR = 7.6, CI = 1.41, 41.57, p = 0.018) followed by layer and beef (p > 0.05) compared to broiler enterprises. Imprudent AMU was more common in the backyard and semi-commercial enterprises compared to commercial broiler enterprises. Policies promoting the prudent use of antimicrobials in Fiji should focus on smaller livestock production systems and enterprises.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Fiji: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is malignant epithelial neoplasm that affects the oral cavity. Despite the large number of studies on OSCC in the literature, details on the demographic profile of these lesions in different populations are limited, especially amongst the Fijian population, thus this study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of OSCC cases diagnosed from 2011 to 2015 at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH), Suva, Fiji Islands. 
 
 MATERIALS & METHODS: A retrospective quantitative study was carried out at the CWMH Histology department looking at OSCC cases diagnosed from 2011–2015. All confirmed cases were included in the study and excluded cases were suspected cases that were pending diagnosis and children. An extraction sheet was used for data collection which was designed to meet the requirements of study finding. This data was entered in SPSS software and then analyzed using the simple analytical tool as bar graphs and tables.  
 
 RESULTS: There were 74 OSCC cases diagnosed in the study period. The occurrence of OSCC cases over the 5-year period was fluctuant with the year 2013 recording the highest number of cases (24 cases, 32%). During the reported period, more men suffered (53 cases, 72%) from this condition with the tongue (40%) being the commonest oral cancer site followed by the lip and vermillion border (28%). Individuals in the 40 to 60 years’ age group (35 cases, 47.3%) were mostly affected with the I-taukei population (38 cases, 51.4%) recording the highest occurrence of OSCC. The results show that, the common occurrence is the tongue (40.5%) while the least presentation sight is Buccal mucosa/buccal sulcus area (8.1%). 
 
 CONCLUSION: The study concluded that more men suffer from oral squamous cell carcinoma compared to woman and the ethnicity that was most affected was I-taukei population. More detailed record keeping and reporting of oral cancer is needed to help evaluate progress in controlling oral cancer in the Fiji Islands. This availability of geographic data would further assist the Ministry of Health of Fiji in data collection and planning of preventative activities

Determinants of Exports in a Small and Vulnerable Economy: Fiji Islands-A Disaggregated Analysis.

The previous studies of exports performance in Fiji were carried out at the aggregate level. We conduct a disaggregated analysis of exports of three major products, namely, sugar, tourism, and gold. This analysis is useful for developing sector-based export promotion policies. The long run as well as dynamic export demand functions are estimated at the aggregate and disaggregate levels. The results identify a number of factors such as trading partner income, relative prices, productivity shocks, natural disasters, political disturbances, and the exchange rate that affect the export demand for sugar, tourism, and gold, though not in the same way. For instance, tourism and sugar enjoy the highest income elasticity. Sugar export is adversely affected by natural calamities and political upheavals. The political upheavals also affect tourism adversely in Fiji. The exchange rate affects the export of sugar more than others. The idea that devaluation will promote exports in Fiji needs careful investigation because results show that this will happen with a high cost, i.e. 5% nominal devaluation will be required to increase real exports by 1%.

Global solar radiation predictions in Fiji Islands based on empirical models

Many difficulties associated with Global Solar Radiation (GSR)’ variability in space and time and with the angular position in sky hemisphere hamper its accurate knowledge. Fiji Islands, with a tropical maritime climate without great extremes of heat or cold, have GSR measurement limited by a small number of stations due to the technical and financial restricts. Yet there are various options of available empirical models to select the most suitable one(s) for estimating GSR accurately using weather-related variables available for each location. This paper, therefore, focuses on evaluation of the performances of twenty (20) empirical models in predicting GSR between 1984 and 2018 in six (6) meteorological stations within Fiji Islands. Simulations were performed for 35-year period (1984–2018) and results were compared with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s MERRA (Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications) observational datasets after bias corrections. Model performance indices such as Mean Error (ME), Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency coefficient (NSE), Percentage Mean Error (PME), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and correlation coefficient (r) were adopted. Obtained coefficients of determination from the regression analysis (0.415 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.988; at 95% confidential level) performed for the models’ calibration between 1984 and 2018 suggest that the models’ potentials to simulate GSR varies across the stations and among the models. About 33% of the models in group I, which relate GSR to the sunshine duration, monthly average day length and/or extra-terrestrial radiation performed favourably well in predicting GSR while 75% of models in group II (with air temperature as additional predictor) and 100% in group III (humidity) performed very well. It is concluded that inclusion of air temperature and humidity as two principal predictors alongside with sunshine duration, day length and extra-terrestrial radiation produce the best GSR prediction (RMSE ≤ 5 MJ m−2) over Fiji Islands.

Effects of selected environmental conditions on growth and carrageenan quality of laboratory-cultured Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta) in Fiji, South Pacific

The impacts of environmental conditions (temperature, salinity, and nutrients) on growth, semi-refined carrageenan yield, gel strengths, and viscosity were assessed on the red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii in laboratory culture. Results showed that K. alvarezii had a higher daily growth rate (0.94% day-1) at higher temperature (30 °C). Its semi-refined carrageenan yield was high (75.79%) at a combination of low salinity (25 ppt) and high temperature (30 °C). Conversely, gel strengths made out of semi-refined carrageenan from K. alvarezii cultured at low temperature (24 °C) demonstrated a higher compression (5.84 N) and high penetration strength (0.29 N). Highest viscosity (289.50 cP) was attained at a combination of high temperature, low salinity, and high nutrient concentration. Gels made from carrageenan of K. alvarezii grown in a higher temperature (30 °C) mixed with pineapple juice showed higher compression strength demonstrating that carrageenan extracted from cultured K. alvarezii is a good thickening agent for fruit jellies or similar food products that do not require refrigeration. This could benefit communities in rural, non-electrified communities/areas of Fiji and other South Pacific Islands that could use K. alvarezii as an alternative gelling agent in the making of food products contributing towards their food and economic security.

An analysis of the 10 MW Butoni wind farm in the Tropical Southwest Pacific Island of Fiji

This study carries out an analysis of the 10 MW Butoni wind farm in the tropical southwest Pacific island of Fiji using 6 years of uninterrupted near-surface wind observations (2013–2018). The standard wind-industry software, WAsP is used to analyse and evaluate the wind characteristics of the wind farm and the surrounding areas. The modelled and operational AEP are discussed with the related economic analysis together with the main causes for the under-performance of the wind farm. The results revealed that the mean wind speed, power density and the AEP at the Butoni wind farm are below the utility-scale standard of 6.4 m/s, 300 W/m2 and 500 MWh/year/turbine respectively, at 55 m above ground level (AGL). The main reason for the under-performance of the wind farm is that it was commissioned for a low mean wind speed regime of Wind Power Class 1. The wind farm has a lower-than-expected capacity factor of 5.4% and a higher wind shear coefficient of 0.35. An economic analysis revealed that the payback time is 24.5 years, and the cost of energy generation is FJD $ 0.55/kWh.

The Role of Agricultural Institutions in Providing Support Towards Sustainable Rural Development in South Pacific Island Countries

This paper examines the agricultural training in higher education institutions and tertiary colleges, their pre-eminent role and how best they can contribute to alleviate poverty in rural communities in Fiji and other South Pacific island countries. These institutions provide support through training farmers (vocational and adult education) and/or extension officers and providing researchers. Unfortunately, agricultural training institutions are not adapting to the rapid changing times early enough and have more or less maintained the traditional way of training. There is a need for agricultural institutions to amend their programs to facilitate the new emerging areas, together with new learning and teaching frameworks, establish new partnerships with the private sector in addition to expanding their representation in governance in addition to holding continuous dialogue with policymakers. Further, these institutions can potentially showcase local customs and knowledge, mirroring the regional culture, and ethical customs of the Pacific island community, as well as global movements and development forces. In reinforcing their title role as contributors to a culture of education and rural agricultural development, we suggest that agricultural institutions engage more directly and more effectively in partnerships and dialogue with other local agricultural stakeholders and their surrounding rural communities in Fiji and other Pacific island countries.