Tractors for ‘Eua and Niuafo‘ou [1]
Monday, August 25, 2014 - 16:50. Updated on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 - 18:33.
By Finau Fonua
Four newly refurbished Massey Ferguson tractors have arrived in Tonga, destined for villages in ‘Eua and Niuafo’ou island to help increase their agricultural activities.
With the help of Tonga Rural Innovation Project (TRIP), fundraisers were held by the ‘Eua villages of ‘Esia, Tongamama’o, Tufuvai, Pangai and the island of Niuafo’ou to purchase the tractors. Three tractors are destined for villages in ‘Eua and one for Niuafo’ou Island. The total cost of the tractors is $129, 873 Pa’anga.
TRIP is a Tonga Government Project funded by the International Funds for Agriculture Development (IFAD), a United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty.
In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture and Foods, Forests and Fisheries acknowledged the role of TRIP in assisting communities. “These machineries are greatly needed in ‘Eua to improve small scale farmers’ production especially as market access is a priority to the farmers to export their products.”
The Tongan Government hoped to continue working in partnership with TRIP to meet the needs of the outer island communities for greater economic and agricultural development.