The Kai Natura Taokotai (KNT) group is moving ahead in their co-operative mission to establish a Cook Islands growers’ company (Farmers Co-op) to support, upskill, manage risk, and innovate our primary producers’ farm businesses.

KNT, representing a membership of over 500, has partnered with the MG New Zealand Fresh Produce Group for their business plan project, which was launched last week.

John Tierney, a director at KNT, explained that their aim is to develop a comprehensive business plan in collaboration with farmers, ministries, officials, organisations, and stakeholders.

Tierney said the MG Group will engage with Cook Islands farmers and families, government ministries, and stakeholders in shaping KNT’s business plan. He highlighted that the MG Group is providing their professional expertise to create the business plan free of charge.

A draft of the plan is expected to be completed by February or March of next year. To facilitate this joint effort, a series of online meetings will be organised, engaging farmers in discussions and seeking their input on various aspects.

Also, online discussions will be held with Pa Enua farmers to ensure their valuable perspectives are incorporated into the business plan.

John Clarke, owner and director of the Woodhaven Gardens, a 45-year-old farm growing 2000 acres of production of green leafy vegetables with around 300 staff in Aotearoa New Zealand, attended the series of meetings.

Clarke, who started Woodhaven Gardens with his parents, shared his knowledge of farming commercial systems and practices, crop agreements, innovation, science, and technology.

“I’m here to share my experiences with cooperatives and the importance of belonging to that organisation, as it is extremely beneficial for growers,” he said.

“I’m supporting in terms of facts and philosophy. I think once growers here start to realise the formation of the plan and is going to help them in what they are all trying to do.

“The power of the collective is far greater than the individual.”

Clarke noted that Cook Islands growers face similar issues to those in New Zealand, such as labour and access to market.

“The actual growing issues we face on the day-to-day basis are very similar,” he said.

Man Unuia, speaking on behalf of Minister of Agriculture Rose Vainetutai Toki-Brown, said she “fully supports” the co-op initiative seeing the growers coming together.

Unuia said the goal is to ensure food security going forward, and the long-term goal is export.

The Kai Natura Taokotai mission statement is to empower organisations to foster collaborative thinking to drive workplace innovation. They believe that a company should act as a community and use tools to communicate quickly and efficiently.