The charter
The VARTC Act
“An Act to establish the Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Centre; to provide for its constitution, functions and powers; and for related purposes.”— Long title, Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Centre Act [CAP 286][1]
Act 15 of 2002; commenced 1 January 2003.[5] It is published in the Laws of the Republic of Vanuatu, Consolidated Edition 2006 (Chapter 286).[6]
Amended by the Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Centre (Amendment) Act No. 9 of 2008 — assented 11 June 2008, commenced 7 July 2008; replaced the list of appointed Board members (section 19(3)).[7][8]
Our mandate, in five lines
- Carry out applied and development-oriented research in agriculture and livestock
- Encourage or facilitate the application and use of research results
- Train, and assist in the training of, research workers in agricultural science
- Collect, interpret and disseminate scientific and technical information
- Collaborate with research institutions and donors in agricultural research
Section 3
Functions of the Centre, in the words of the Act
The Act lists eight functions. The Centre must treat (a) research and development and (b) getting research results used as its primary functions, and the rest as secondary (s.3(2)).[1]
- (a)to carry out scientific research and development for any of the following purposes: (i) assisting the agricultural, livestock, forestry and fisheries industries; (ii) furthering the interests of the Vanuatu agricultural and rural community; (iii) contributing to the achievement of Vanuatu national objectives; (iv) any other purpose determined by the Minister; Primary
- (b)to encourage or facilitate the application or utilization of the results of such research; Primary
- (c)to carry out services, and make available facilities, in relation to science;
- (d)to act as a means of liaison between Vanuatu and other countries in matters connected with scientific research;
- (e)to train, and to assist in the training of, research workers in the field of science and to cooperate with tertiary education institutions in relation to education in that field;
- (f)to establish and award fellowships and studentships for research, and to make grants in aid of research, for a purpose referred to in paragraph (a);
- (g)to recognize associations of persons engaged in industry for the purpose of carrying out industrial scientific research and to cooperate with, and make grants to, such associations;
- (h)to collect, interpret and disseminate information relating to scientific and technical matters.
Powers
What the Act lets VARTC do
Structure
Who runs VARTC
Minister responsible
May give the Board written directions and guidelines of a general nature (s.18). The Board submits the annual report to the Minister (s.30).[1]
Board of the Centre
Ensures the proper and efficient performance of the Centre’s functions, determines policy and gives directions to the Chief Executive (s.17). The Chief Executive plus 4 to 7 part-time members appointed by the Minister (s.19); the Minister appoints a part-time member as Chair (s.19(4)).[1]
Chair: Antoine Ravo, Director of DARD (named as Board Chairman, 2025).[2]
Chief Executive Officer
Conducts the affairs of the Centre in line with Board policies and directions (s.7). Appointed by the Board on merit, after public advertisement, for up to 5 years (s.8).[1]
Steglar Tabiaga (CEO, April 2025).[2]
Scientific Advisory Council
Established by the Board, made up of specialists with extensive scientific, technical and pedagogical experience, to advise the Board; the Board appoints its chair (s.24).[1]
. In June 2024 the Board reviewed draft terms of reference for a research council "as mentioned in the existing VARTC Act".[3]
Board members under the 2008 amendment
The Chief Executive, plus part-time members the Minister may appoint:[7]
- the Chief Executive (s.19(1)(a))
- a senior scientist in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or representative
- a person nominated by the Syndicat Agricole
- a person nominated by the Chamber of Commerce
- the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or representative
- the Director of the Vanuatu Quarantine Inspection Services
- the Director of the Department of Co-operative and Rural Business Development, or representative
A note on the Director General
Our working notes listed the Director General as a Board member. The original 2002 text listed “the Director-General of each of the Ministries responsible for finance, agriculture and commerce”;[1] the 2008 amendment replaced that list and does not name a Director General.[7] The Director General attended the 2025 annual-report handover.[2].
Current Board members
Plans & reports
Strategic plans and annual reports
The Board must prepare strategic plans (s.25) and annual operational plans (s.26), the Centre must follow them (s.27), and an annual report goes to the Minister by 31 March each year (s.30).[1]
Report slot
Strategic Plan 2023–2027
VARTC’s first Strategic Plan, launched by Minister Nako Natuman in July 2023.[4]
Report slot
Annual Report 2024
Formally handed to Minister Ian Wilson on 1 April 2025 — described as a historic milestone.[2]
Report slot
Earlier annual reports
Section 30 requires a report to the Minister on or before 31 March each year.[1]
Reform
Reviewing the Act
At the 2023 Strategic Plan launch the Minister said one of his priority directives was to amend the VARTC Act, covering genetic resources, sharing research with farmers and fishers, protection from pests and disease, custom and traditional knowledge, intellectual property and a future VARTC office in Port Vila.[4] In June 2024 VARTC consulted stakeholders on a policy paper for the review and on a National Productive Sector Research Council.[3].