By Pesi Fonua

Damage estimated at nearly $39 million pa'anga was inflicted on Tonga’s agricultural sector by the Jan. 15 Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai eruption which energized a tsunami and heavy volcanic ash fall over Tonga.

Viliami Manu, CEO Ministry of Agriculture, told Matangi Tonga that they had completed a tour of areas in Tongatapu, the island of ‘Eua, and the islands in Ha‘apai that were worst affected by the volcanic eruption. 

They estimate the tsunami damage to agriculture at about $9.57 million, and the damage to crops caused by ash fall at about $29.31 million. 

He said that the early season root crops, the Tokamu‘a, of yams, and other root crops, that were almost ready to be harvested, were not affected.

However, with the Tokamui (late season crops), which were just sprouting were wiped out.

Fortunately, for seasonal fruit crops such as squash and pumpkins, they had already been harvested, but other fruit crops such as pawpaw and pineapples were affected.

Vegetables, such as lettuces, cabbages, tomatoes and others, were heavily damaged by the ash. 

Viliami said that  vanilla beans were impacted, but the plants had survived.

Despite the devastating impact of the volcanic eruption on Tonga, particularly on the low lying areas, Viliami was confident that there will be no shortages of locally grown foodcrops.

“There may be a slight increase in the prices of certain root crops such as yams but there will be no food shortages. The export of cassava is still flowing normally,” he said.

However, Viliami expressed his concern over a claim from an area in western Tongatapu that about 87 cattle had died following the volcano’s eruption. 

He disputed the claim, and said that according to the Livestock Division of his Ministry, only very few families in the area had cattle.