The document discusses the Market Development Facility (MDF), a private sector development program funded by the Australian government that operates in several countries including Fiji. It provides an overview of MDF's goal of creating jobs and income through private sector growth. In Fiji, MDF has 32 ongoing interventions linking the agribusiness and tourism sectors, such as establishing food production facilities. Lessons learned include challenges with backward integration like inconsistent supplier quality, lack of financing, and high costs of meeting international compliance standards.

1. Australian Aid—managed by Cardno on behalf of AusAID
Market Development Facility
Reshika Kumar, Business Adviser
Agribusiness Forum: Linking the Agrifood Sector to the Tourism-Related
Markets
Organised by CTA, PIPSO and SPC
1-3 July, 2015, Hotel Sofitel Denarau Island, Fiji
MDF is supported by the Australian Government and managed by Cardno

2. Australian Aid—managed by Cardno on behalf of AusAID
Outline
• Who are we and how we work?
• Fiji - Where are we now?
• Lessons Learnt
MDF is supported by the Australian Government and managed by Cardno

3. Australian Aid—managed by Cardno on behalf of AusAID
Who are we?
• MDF is a multi-country private
sector development program
funded by the Australian
Government, operating in Fiji
(started July 2011), Timor-
Leste (2012) and Pakistan
(2013). MDF has also
commenced operations in
PNG and Sri Lanka.
MDF is supported by the Australian Government and managed by Cardno
Our Goal?
• To create additional
employment and income
earning opportunities for the
poor women and men in rural
and urban areas through broad-
based and sustainable pro-
poor growth.
How we work?
• Identify the right
sector (pro-
poorness, growth
and feasibility)
• Understand the
constraints
• Identify and form
partnership (with
market actors)
• Monitor and
Evaluate
• Adapt (if necessary)
• Monitor and
Evaluate
Poverty
Reduction
Improved
access and
growth
Sectors
Interven
tions

4. Australian Aid—managed by Cardno on behalf of AusAID
Fiji - where are we now?
Horticulture and
Agro-Exports
Tourism and
related support
services and
industries
Export Processing
Currently 32 interventions
on ground (more in the
immediate pipeline)
MDF is supported by the Australian Government and managed by Cardno
Results*
1. Effective Outreach
(including jobs): 1,016
2. Private sector investment:
USD 1,552,000
* till 31 December 2014

5. Australian Aid—managed by Cardno on behalf of AusAID
MDF Fiji interventions linking the agrifood
sector to the tourism-related industry
MDF is supported by the Australian Government and managed by Cardno
Farmboy (Establishing an industrial HACCP kitchen for
the processing of horticulture produce for hotels &
resorts)
Tripeak Farms (Upgrading of hydroponic facility for
specialty produce on a year-round basis)
Western Dairy (Diversifying into fruit juice production
for a dairy company targeting the hospitality sector of
Fiji).

6. Australian Aid—managed by Cardno on behalf of AusAID
MDF Fiji interventions linking the agrifood
sector to the tourism-related industry
MDF is supported by the Australian Government and managed by Cardno
Adi Chocolates (Upgrading chocolate manufacturer
facility & developing backward linkages to cocoa
farmers).
CCF (Establishing production of local mud crabs through
hatching, nursing and outgrowing to supply the tourism
industry and export markets).
Southern Solutions (Establishing a supply chain of
fresh fish from local fishermen and enhancing product
quality of processed seafood aimed for the tourism
market).

7. Australian Aid—managed by Cardno on behalf of AusAID
Lessons Learnt
1. Backward integration
- Lack of information/skills
- Dealing with communities (low quality, lack of consistency, low
volumes)
- Lack of quality affordable agricultural inputs
2. Tight cash flow position and weak accounting systems
- Delayed payments from resorts/hotels
- Book-keeping
- Access to finance
3. International standard compliance
- High cost associated (upgrading facility and capacity building of staff)
- Education on good farming practices (supply-side)
MDF is supported by the Australian Government and managed by Cardno

8. Australian Aid—managed by Cardno on behalf of AusAID
Vinaka vakalevu!
More on MDF:
www.marketdevelopmentfacility.org
Contact us: Reshika.Kumar@CardnoMDF.org
and Troy.Simpson@CardnoMDF.org
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MDF is supported by the Australian Government and managed by Cardno