King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u launched the ‘Api-ko-Fatai cluster farming initiative for the communities of Feletoa and Mataika in Vava’u on March 18.

‘Api-ko-Fatai is on 30 acres of royal estate that the King has offered to landless farmers to assist in combating climate change and food security issues.

Around 80% of the population in the two communities rely on agriculture farming mainly for subsistence, while surplus products are sold. But restricted access to land, resources, and skills have prevented them from leading sustainable livelihoods and with the increasing onset of climate change and natural disasters, these communities face existential crises.

This initiative aims to address these issues and involves training, land preparation, fencing, provision of plants among others.

‘Api-ko-Fatai will be the largest multiplication plot in the Kingdom growing at least 14 varieties of taro, two varieties of sweet potatoes, four varieties of cassava, seven varieties of kava and two varieties of corn.

According to MORDI Tonga, around 187 individuals from 37 households will benefit from the initiative, which will impact at least 13,551 of the Vava’u population.

‘Api-ko-Fatai follows a similar initiative that started in Tongatapu on the Villa royal estate, and is now expanding to the outer islands.

Cluster farming on a large scale using royal estates is likely to ease the pressures on farmers in rural communities.

The initiative is supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through the Tonga Rural Innovation Project (TRIP) II under MORDI Tonga.

TRIP II aims to promote community development and improve sustainable economic livelihoods of rural communities.