About Us

SANMA AGRIFOOD TRADE ASSOCIATION (SAFTA) COMMITTEE (INC.) is a nonprofit organization based in Vanuatu that works to support the development of agriculture, agrifood trade, rural livelihoods, and community resilience. Our organization exists to strengthen the connection between local production, market opportunity, sustainable practices, and inclusive development.

We serve farmers, growers, small producers, traders, community groups, and local stakeholders who play an essential role in the agrifood economy. We understand that agriculture is central to livelihoods, nutrition, local enterprise, and social well-being in Vanuatu. For that reason, our work is focused not only on production and trade, but also on building stronger systems that help communities thrive over the long term.

SAFTA promotes practical support, knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and community-based development. We aim to help local producers improve their skills, increase their opportunities, strengthen product value, and connect more effectively to markets and partnerships. We also seek to support food security, economic participation, and environmentally responsible approaches that benefit both current and future generations.

As a nonprofit association, we are committed to public benefit, inclusive growth, and sustainable impact. We believe that local agriculture and agrifood enterprise can be a powerful driver of dignity, stability, and opportunity when communities have the right support, knowledge, and networks. Through our programs, partnerships, and activities, we work to create a stronger foundation for agrifood development in SANMA and across Vanuatu.

Extended About Us

SANMA AGRIFOOD TRADE ASSOCIATION (SAFTA) COMMITTEE (INC.) was established to help strengthen the agrifood sector through cooperation, local empowerment, and long-term community-focused development. We recognize that farmers and agrifood producers are not only contributors to the economy, but also guardians of food systems, family livelihoods, traditional knowledge, and community resilience.

Our organization works with a broad understanding of agrifood development. We care about production, but we also care about what happens after production—how goods are processed, traded, transported, marketed, valued, and used to create stable income and stronger local economies. We believe that when local farmers and producers are supported with the right tools, training, partnerships, and market connections, they are better able to improve their livelihoods and contribute to sustainable development.

SAFTA is committed to supporting practical and inclusive opportunities across the agrifood value chain. This may include training and mentorship, market-readiness support, local trade facilitation, networking, community engagement, and initiatives that improve awareness around food systems, entrepreneurship, and responsible agricultural practices. We seek to create conditions where local people can participate more fully in economic life and where communities are better equipped to respond to changing social, environmental, and market conditions.

We also believe in the value of collaboration. Lasting impact in the agrifood sector requires cooperation among producers, communities, local leaders, government stakeholders, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society organizations. SAFTA aims to serve as a trusted platform for dialogue, coordination, and action that benefits the public and promotes fair, community-centered growth.

At the heart of our work is a commitment to service, inclusion, and sustainability. We want communities to have stronger livelihoods, better access to knowledge and opportunity, and more resilient systems for food and trade. Our nonprofit mission is rooted in the belief that local development should be people-centered, practical, and built on the strengths of communities themselves.

Our Mission

Our mission is to strengthen agrifood livelihoods and community resilience in Vanuatu by supporting farmers, producers, and local enterprises through capacity building, sustainable agriculture, market access, trade development, and collaborative community-based initiatives.

We are committed to helping local stakeholders improve their ability to grow, process, promote, and trade agricultural and food-related products in ways that create social and economic benefit. We work to expand opportunity, encourage entrepreneurship, support local value chains, and improve participation in the agrifood economy.

Our mission also includes promoting food security, responsible resource use, knowledge-sharing, and practical solutions that help communities respond to real challenges. Through education, partnerships, and grassroots engagement, we strive to build stronger systems that support both people and local development.

In all of our work, we seek to deliver public value by improving livelihoods, strengthening local economies, encouraging self-reliance, and helping communities build a more sustainable future through agriculture and trade.

Our Vision

Our vision is a resilient and inclusive agrifood sector in Vanuatu where farmers, producers, traders, and communities have the knowledge, opportunities, partnerships, and support they need to thrive.

We envision a future where local agriculture creates greater dignity, stability, and economic participation for families and communities; where food systems are stronger and more sustainable; and where local products are valued, competitive, and connected to fair and meaningful market opportunities.

We aspire to be a trusted nonprofit association that helps strengthen agrifood ecosystems through cooperation, innovation, local leadership, and practical impact. We want to contribute to a future in which rural communities are empowered, youth can see real opportunity in agriculture, women are supported in enterprise and leadership, and local trade contributes to broader social and economic well-being.

Our long-term vision is one of sustainable development rooted in community strength, environmental responsibility, and inclusive growth.