By Eleanor Gee

Vulnerable rural farmers in Tonga will receive a range of services and support to improve farm productivity and their livelihoods under the Pacific Islands Rural & Agricultural Stimulus Facility (PIRAS) project, launched launched at Falemasiva Hall, Tailulu College on December 2.

Under the project, farmers will be provided with seedlings and planting materials for crops, livestock and fisheries; tools, farming equipment, training to improve farm productivity, food preservation, growing vegetables, soil conservation, and nurseries demonstration plots. They will also have the opportunity to link to commercial farmers and markets.

Minister for Finance, Hon Tevita Lavemaau said in his keynote speech that there are many development challenges faced by Small Island Developing States, including COVID-19.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging our food security, nutrition and climate resilience even further.”

“The pandemic has heightened awareness of the crucial role that domestic food systems play in providing resilience to shocks, self-sufficiency, and insurance against food insecurity.” 

He said that in any crisis, it is usually the vulnerable sections of our community who are disproportionately affected.

“For this reason, the PIRAS Project will target the Kingdom of Tonga poor farming households in rural areas that have been assessed to be more vulnerable, particularly women and youth.”

Agriculture in Tonga

In Tonga, the agricultural sector is one of the largest contributors to the economy, making up 20% of the GDP, said MAFF CEO Dr Viliami Manu at the event.

“Over 70% of the Tongan population live in rural areas whose mainstay are in agriculture and fisheries. Less than 10% of Tongan farmers are commercial farmers, making our agricultural landscape predominantly a subsistence-based farming system.”

The PIRAS project has a holistic approach to improve socio-economic conditions for many rural households. 

The project will be implemented by the Rural Develoment Innovations Tonga Trust (MORDI TT).

The TOP$1.5 million PIRAS project is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Australian Government, and the Tongan Government.

PIRAS is a regional initiative covering Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Kiribati, to support economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in the Pacific through improved income generation, food security and nutrition for rural communities.