Tonga's Agriculture Ministry becomes a squash grower [1]
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 15:57. Updated on Saturday, October 25, 2014 - 11:02.
The Ministry of Agriculture is stepping into the Squash Industry for the first time this year, as one of the growers, in order to boost declining squash production.
Peni Vea the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed today, they had planted 100 acres of squash on a plot of land behind the Fua'amotu International Airport.
Peni said the main reason they have stepped in is to help the Tonga Squash Council maintain the minimum yield for the industry since many local growers withdrew.
The CEO commented there had been wrongful accusations that the squash planted belongs to the Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele.
"I want to clarify that this is false and the Ministry became a grower simply to help fill in the gap left by some of the local growers that withdrew, so that Tonga maintains its squash industry as well as its overseas market like Japan and Korea," he added.
He said that the tonnage of squash exported per year is around 12-15,000 metric tonnes, but this year a much lower yield of around 6-7,000 metric tonnes is expected.
Peni said that they had not decided which local Squash Export Company they would export their squash with once their yield is harvested.
Lower Yield
The Tongan Squash Council is also expecting a low yield for Tongan squash this year.
Stephen Edwards the Secretary General of the Tongan Squash Council said today that the production would decrease dramatically and they are looking at exporting a total of 6,355 metric tonnes.
He explained that many of the growers had withdrawn leaving mainly the squash exporters as growers.
There are 14 exporters this year, and the first vessel will depart Tongatapu on October 24 with an estimated 2,500 tonnes. The second vessel will be confirmed in a council meeting on September 14.
Steve said squash exports have been gradually declining and in 2005 Tonga exported about 12,000 metric tonnes, which last year decreased to only 10,215 tonnes.
He added that other factors contributing to the decline, included the high costs of freight, fertilisers, seeds, chemicals, the decreasing value of the Tongan pa'anga against foreign currencies and the increased rate for hiring labourers and tractors.
"But our objective is to maintain the industry and keep it alive because we have an obligation to the overseas market and to our local industry."
In regards to the Ministry of Agriculture, he said everyone has a right to grow squash. But they will have to export their yield through one of the export companies because they do not have an export licence.
The harvesting of Tongan squash will begin on October 1.