How Will We Manage With COVID-19?
The year 2020 started off with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and it has been truly devastating for everyone. Not only has this global pandemic interrupted a few exciting plans that will take NIUE Vanilla International (NVI) to greater heights, it has also affected our way of exhibiting Premium Niuean Vanilla at international exhibitions.
Nevertheless, we always find a way to adapt and make the best of any situation that COVID-19 has left us in. Just as the rest of the world, we have resorted to online conferences and meetings instead of face to face networking. Travel restrictions had also disrupted all means of international travel and with it the many opportunities to exhibit in bigger and larger exhibitions.
Throughout 2020, we directed a greater focus towards expanding and improving NVI’s vanilla farm in all aspects. Improving the efficiency and productivity of the farm is essential and we now have all the extra time to work on these projects. We have been hard at work implementing as much infrastructural development as we can whilst we wait out the pandemic and hope for a return to normal.
To cope with additional vines being planted in the thousands, we worked towards improving the water supply as it is one of the key differences to achieving the highest potential of a good harvest season. Just as any organic plant, it needs water to grow all year round and we now have a better water system in place to maintain a significant increase in vine capacity within the farm. It is also important to note that this will also help battle dry periods by greatly minimizing the effects of all future drought seasons.
